Indonesian Reinforced as Language of Instruction in All Levels of Education

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo on 30 September 2019 signed Presidential Regulation Number 63 of 2019 on the Use of Indonesian Language.

According to the regulation, Indonesian language must be used as the language of instruction in national education at all levels of education.

In addition to Indonesian language, regional languages can be used as the language of instruction in primary schools, madrasah ibtidaiyah (Islamic elementary school), or other forms of school equivalent in the first and second year to support learning.

In addition, foreign languages can be used as a language of instruction to support students’ foreign language skills.

“Indonesian language must be used as the language of instruction in Indonesian subjects, religious education, and subjects related to civic education in foreign educational institutions or special education units,” Article 24 paragraph (2) of the regulation reads.

The regulation also states that Indonesian language must be used in public administration services in government agencies, at least used in communication between providers and recipients of public services,  public service standards, notice of service, and service information system.

In a bid to facilitate the understanding of the public service recipient, public administration services in government agencies can use regional languages and/or foreign languages as Indonesian equivalent or translation, the regulation reads.

Indonesian language, according to the regulation, must also be used in memorandum of understanding or agreements involving state institutions, government agencies of the Republic of Indonesia, private Indonesian institutions, or Indonesian citizens.

“Memorandum of understanding or agreements involving foreign parties are also written in their own language and/or English, which is used as an Indonesian equivalent or translation to harmonize the understanding of the memorandum of understanding or agreement with foreign parties,” Article 26 paragraph (3) the Regulation reads.

In the event of a difference in interpretation of the equivalent or translation referred to, according to this Regulation, the language used is what agreed upon in the memorandum of understanding or agreement.

According to the regulation, Indonesian language must be used in national forums or international forums held in Indonesia, organized by government agencies and/or communities, both with and without the support of foreign parties.

In the international forum, foreigners can use non-Indonesian language and the organizer is required to provide translation into Indonesian, the regulation reads.

This Presidential Regulation also mandates the use of Indonesian Language as the official communication in government and private work environments.

Official communication as intended, according to the Regulation, is communication between employees, institutions, as well as institutions to the community related to the duties and functions of the Government and private institutions, which are carried out orally and/or in writing, and can use electronic device as a medium.

“Official communication with international institutions or foreign state institutions in the work environment of the Government and the private institutions can use interpreters to smoothen communication,” Article 29 of this Presidential Regulation reads.

This regulation also states that Indonesian language must be used in reports of every institution or individuals to government agencies. The institutions referred to here are government and non-government agencies.

According to the Regulation, the report that must use Indonesian language are activity management report, reports on the implementation of official tasks, report on community activities, public complaint report, and/or other reports.

In addition, Indonesian language must also be used in scientific papers and published scientific papers in the country in the form of dissertation, thesis, undergraduate thesis, final report, research report, paper, textbook, reference book, proceeding, minutes of scientific discussions, scientific journals, and/or other scientific works.

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 come into force on the date of its enactment,” Article 44 of Presidential Regulation Number 63 of 2019 says.

The law was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 30 September 2018. (Pusdatin/ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas