"Our commitment to be proud of, proficient in, and to advance with the Indonesian language must be a collective commitment of all components of the nation, especially through disciplined use of the language in public spaces," Mu'ti stated in a release on Sunday.
He made these remarks during the Regional Consolidation on the Supervision of Indonesian Language Use event in East Java.
According to Mu'ti, the Indonesian language is not merely a means of communication but also a symbol of national identity and sovereignty.
Therefore, he urged that efforts to strengthen the position of the Indonesian language in public spaces be carried out collectively and consistently.
“We already have a cultural declaration through the Youth Pledge, a political declaration through the Proclamation of Independence, and a territorial declaration through the Djuanda Declaration. The Indonesian language must now become a shared source of pride and responsibility,” he affirmed.
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In addition to prioritizing the use of the Indonesian language, Mu'ti noted that the protection of regional languages and literature must also be prioritized — through regulation, education, and revitalization of local cultures.
He emphasized the importance of the Trigatra Bangun Bahasa principle as the foundation of an inclusive and adaptive national language policy in the face of global dynamics.
The Trigatra Bangun Bahasa consists of three pillars: prioritizing the Indonesian language, preserving regional languages, and mastering foreign languages.
He called on all stakeholders to take pride in, be proficient with, and move forward together with the Indonesian language.
“We must cultivate the habit (of using the Indonesian language), including in digital spaces, as it affirms our language as a marker of national identity and competitiveness,” Mu'ti concluded.
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Translator: Anita, Kenzu
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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