Jakarta, ThedailyID — Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council (DPD) has called for faster deliberation of the Regional Language Bill as hundreds of local languages face extinction.
Committee III of the DPD said stronger legal protection is urgently needed. Officials warned that many regional languages are now in vulnerable to critical condition.
Committee Chair Filep Wamafma stressed that regional languages go beyond communication. He said they represent cultural identity and serve as a way to pass down local knowledge.
“Regional languages are an essential part of national cultural wealth and social identity,” he said during a working meeting on April 6, 2026.
He also highlighted growing challenges. These include weakening intergenerational transmission and the dominance of Indonesian and foreign languages in daily life.
Without proper intervention, Indonesia risks losing much of its linguistic diversity within decades.
Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Fadli Zon emphasized that protecting regional languages is key to national cultural development.
“Regional languages are the foundation of cultural resilience and national identity,” he said.
He added that preservation efforts must go beyond documentation. Instead, the government aims to promote active use in daily life, education, and digital platforms.
“Regional languages are living cultures, not artifacts,” he said.
At the same time, lawmakers raised concerns over limited teaching resources. They said schools and universities still lack educators and dedicated programs for regional languages.
Jasmin U Dillo highlighted the importance of university-level programs. He said they could strengthen long-term preservation efforts.
Similarly, Agita Nurfianti pointed to declining use among younger generations. She noted that many Gen Z students prefer English in daily communication.
Meanwhile, Arianto Kogoya said the bill would play a crucial role in protecting regional languages nationwide. He also stressed the importance of stronger involvement from local governments.
Overall, lawmakers agree that the bill is urgent. They believe it will provide a clear legal framework to preserve Indonesia’s linguistic diversity and cultural heritage.
