Indonesian Language Must be Used in Geographic, Trademark Names

Presidential Regulation Number 63 of 2019 on the Use of Indonesian Language which signed by President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on 30 September 2019 also regulates the use of Indonesian language in words by the use of geographic names, legal entity names, to trademarks.

According to the Regulation, Indonesian Language must be used in geographic names in the country, both in naming new geographic places and/or changing the old names.

The use of Indonesian Language in naming geographic places, according to the Regulation, is carried out by taking morality and decency; geographical characteristics; and historical elements or figures into account.

Furthermore, in the case that geographic places fulfills historical, cultural, and/or religious values, geographic names can use regional languages or foreign languages written using Latin alphabet.

“Indonesian Language must be used in the names of buildings or structures, apartments or settlements, offices and trade complexes that are established or owned by Indonesian Citizens or Indonesian legal entities,” Article 33 paragraph (1) of the regulation says.

In the case of buildings or structures, apartments or settlements, offices, and trade complexes having historical, cultural, cultural and religious values, according to the Regulation, the naming can use regional languages or foreign languages.

In addition, Indonesian Language must be used on road names which include: national road; provincial roads; regency roads; city roads; village roads; toll roads; freeways; and special roads.

“In the case of roads having historical, cultural, and/or religious values, the name of the road may use regional language or foreign language,” Article 34 paragraph (3) of the Regulation says.

The Regulation also states that Indonesian Language must be used in trademarked names in the form of words or combination of words owned by Indonesian Citizens or Indonesian legal entities. The use of Indonesian Languages in the trademark name referred to is excluded for foreign licenses trademarks.

“In the case of trademarks referred to have historical, cultural, and/or religious values, trademark names may use regional languages or foreign languages,” Article 35 paragraph (3) of the Regulation says.

Moreover, Indonesian Language must be used on the names of business institutions established or owned by Indonesian citizens or Indonesian legal entities.

In the case of an Indonesian legal entities referred to as a limited liability company, according to the Regulation, the obligation to use Indonesian language only applies to limited liability companies whose shares are wholly owned by Indonesian citizens or Indonesian legal entities.

“In the case of the business institution referred to have historical, cultural, and/or religious values, the name of the business institution may use regional languages or foreign languages,” Article 36 paragraph (2) of the Regulation reads.

The Regulation also states that Indonesian Language must be used in the name of educational institutions established or owned by Indonesian citizens or Indonesian legal entities, which include: formal education unit; non-formal education unit; and informal education unit.

However, educational institutions that are jointly established between educational institutions in Indonesia and foreign educational institutions can use foreign language name.

Furthermore, Indonesian Language must be used on the names of organizations established or owned by Indonesian Citizens or Indonesian legal entities, the Regulation says.

In the case of the organization referred to as having historical, cultural, and/or religious values, according to the Regulation, its name may use regional languages or foreign languages written using Latin alphabet.

The Regulation also mandates that Indonesian Language must be used in information about domestic and foreign goods or services circulating in Indonesia, which carried out by the good’s producer or importer.

“Information on goods as referred to in paragraph (1) at least includes: a. name of goods; b. specification; c. ingredients and composition; d. how to use; e. how to install; f. benefits or uses; g. side effects; h. size; i. weight or net weight; j. date of manufacture; k. validity/expiration period; l. product influence; and m. the name and address of the business actor,” Article 39 paragraph (3) of the Regulation reads.

Indonesian Language, according to the Regulation, must be used in public signs, street signs, public facilities, banners, and other information tools that are in public services and may be in the form of text or images that are displayed and/or sounds that are played in public places.

Moreover, writing, drawing, and/or sound as intended may be supplemented by regional languages and/or foreign languages as equivalent.

“In the event that religious activities, cultural, or arts are needed, regional languages or foreign languages can be used for public service information by including Indonesian as an inseparable part,” Article 40 paragraph (4) of the Regulation says.

According to the Regulation, the Central Government and regional governments conduct supervise of the use of Indonesian Language as stipulated in this Presidential Regulation in accordance with their authority.

The supervision of the use of Indonesian Language by the Central Government is carried out by the Ministers; whereas supervision of the use of Indonesian language by the regional government is carried out by the governors and/or regents/mayors in accordance with their authority.

“For the implementation of supervision as intended, the Minister (who carries out government affairs in the education affairs) establishes guidelines for the supervision of the use of Indonesian Language,” Article 42 paragraph (4) of the Regulation reads.

At the time this Presidential Regulation comes into force, Presidential Regulation Number 16 of 2010 on the Use of Indonesian Language in the Official Speech of the President and/or Vice President and Other State Officials is declared null and void.

“This Presidential Regulation shall apply as the date of its enactment,” Article 44 of Presidential Regulation Number 63 of 2019 says.

The Regulation was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 30 September 2019. (Pusdatin/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Yuyu Mulyani