Samarinda, July 5, 2022 — The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek) launched the 17th episode of Merdeka Belajar: Revitalization of Indigenous Language. Revitalization of Indigenous Language (RBD) is an effort to protect and preserve indigenous languages. RBD in East Kalimantan Province aims to prevent young generation being uprooted from their cultural roots. Language extinction could be “culturally devastating” of its speakers.
East Kalimantan Province, selected as one of the 12 Provinces in Indonesia, is appointed to carry out RBD activities. Several stages will be executed, namely coordination meeting in each district/city and province level on June, assistance from Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province in early July and August, training for elementary and junior high school students on September and October, and Festival Tunas Bahasa Ibu in early November.
Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province held the RBD coordination meeting with Regional Government of East Kalimantan Province and House of Representatives Commission X on Thursday, 30 June 2022 at the Mercure Hotel, Samarinda. The meeting is attended by the Head of Department of Education and Culture of East Kalimantan Province, the Regional Secretary of Samarinda City, Paser Regency, PPU Regency, and Kutai Kartanegara Regency, Head of Departmen of Education and Culture of Samarinda City, Paser Regency, PPU Regency, and Kutai Kartanegara Regency, trainer of indigenous language (Kenyah, Paser, and Kutai), representative of main teachers, and representative of Language Ambassadors of East and North Kalimantan Province.
It presented two speakers, i.e. House of Representatives Commission X Deputy Chairman Hetifah Sjaifudian and Center for Development and Preservation of Language and Literature Head Imam Budi Utomo. The meeting was officially opened by Hetifah Sjaifudian.
Hetifah Sjaifudian supported and appreciated the results of the RBD coordination meeting in East Kalimantan Province. She stated that central government paid special attention to the RBD programme. In addition, she was also grateful that stakeholders, teachers, mentors, language ambassadors, and the media contributed in the coordination meeting.
Hetifah also revealed Nusantara Capital City (IKN) relocation issue should be grateful for East Kalimantan, as reason, towards receive additional culture from the newcomers.Therefore, the RBD is expected to strengthen the existing culture in East Kalimantan. The Government of East Kalimantan has to issue regulations and its derivatives which aims to protect the existing culture. (ems)
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma