JAKARTA - The Regional Language Bill has begun to be emphasized in the working meeting of the Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon with the DPD RI, Monday, April 6. At the same time, the government also brought a broader agenda, namely the direction of the 2026 cultural policy and the division of roles between the center and the regions.
In the meeting at the DPD RI Building, Menbud Fadli said that regional languages were not merely a means of communication, but a foundation for cultural resilience and national identity. Therefore, according to the Minister of Education, the state is not enough to protect, but must also ensure that regional languages continue to be used, developed, utilized, and passed on between generations.
"Regional languages are not just a means of communication, but are the foundation of cultural resilience and national identity," said Fadli.
He said that the approach to regional languages also needed to be changed. Passive preservation, according to Fadli, is no longer enough. The government wants to encourage more active revitalization through education, the use of digital technology, and the involvement of the younger generation in the production of creative content based on regional languages.
In addition, Fadli emphasized the importance of the Regional Cultural Mind Tree or PPKD as the basis for policy formulation in the region. According to him, PPKD should not stop as an administrative document, but must be used as a policy footing that is in accordance with the actual conditions in the field.
Chairman of the DPD RI Filep Wamafma welcomed the presentation. He assessed that the input from the Ministry of Culture provided an important reinforcement to the substance of the Regional Language Bill being discussed. The DPD, said Filep, hopes that the discussion will really answer the needs of the region.
More specific input came from a member of the DPD from Papua, David Harold Warumi. He highlighted the importance of protecting regional languages coupled with institutional strengthening, including the addition of language halls in Papua.
Meanwhile, member of the DPD from Jambi, Abu Bakar Jamalia, expressed support for the steps of the Ministry of Culture, especially in the preservation of regional arts and culture. He also expressed readiness to participate in socializing cultural programs in the region.
Beyond discussing the Regional Language Bill, the Ministry of Culture also explained the direction of the 2026 program. The focus includes strengthening the cultural ecosystem, digital transformation, and the development of culture as a national strategic resource.
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