Long Melaham, 10 February 2023 — Regional Office for Language in East Kalimantan Province (Language Office) on 6-10 February 2023 visited Long Melaham, Mahakam Ulu Regency. They came to coordinate the Program of Regional Language Preservation with Partners for Revitalization of Regional Language, especially the Kenyah language. The team consisted of Aminuddin Rifai, Ali Kusno, Pandu Pratama Putra, and Rinaldy Finandar. To reach the regency, they downed the Mahakam river by boat for approximately 29 hours.
On 8 February 2023, the team met Samson Batang Head of the Agency of Education and Culture of Mahakam Ulu Regency. He was accompanied by Bungai (Secretary), Jafar Siddik (Head of Junior High Education Unit), Hiroh Ding (Head of PAUD PNF Section), Cecilia Erika Marthina (Head of Elementary Education Unit), Florianus Alui (Head of General Subdivision), Suyati (Supervisor), and Radhitya Wibawa (Junior Planner).
Aminuddin Rifai explained, “Language Office has taken concrete steps in protecting and preserving regional languages via the implementation of the 2022 Revitalization of Regional Language(RBD) which has been running smoothly and successfully. Thanks to the Regional Government, the Education Agency, and Indigenous Community Institutions for supporting it.”
Furthermore, Aminuddin Rifai conveyed, RBD activities will continue in 2023 with three target languages (Paser, Kutai Malay, and Kenyah). For the Kenyah language, one of the target areas is the Mahakam Ulu Regency. Consequently, the team met the Head of the Agency of Education and Culture of the Mahakam Ulu Regency to prepare for that event.
“We really hope the Agency of Education of the Mahakam Ulu support (this event) regarding coordination, policy, and budgeting to implement the 2023 RBD,” Aminuddin Rifai stated.
Ali Kusno said RBD which has implemented in 2022 and 2023 only in three languages in East Kalimantan and North Kalimantan Province. The Head of the Agency of Education and Culture of Mahakam Ulu could adopt the RBD pattern for other regional language targets. If the Head of the Agency of Education and Culture of Mahakam Ulu implemented it, it become an example for other districts/cities. Language Office will support that implementation.
Head of Agency of Education and Culture of Mahakam Ulu, Samson Batang responded “We welcome and are very grateful in engagement (Head of Agency of Education and Culture of Mahakam Ulu) in the 2023 RBD activities. We need to convey that there are three areas with the most number of Kenyah speakers in Mahakam Ulu, such as Datah Bilang, Rukun Damai, and Batu Majang.”
Samson Batang welcomed the RBD plans and would immediately coordinate and prepare teachers to involve as tutors/trainers. Regarding the budget contributions, Samson said he would coordinate and make budget adjustments.
“We hope this RBD can give a positive impact on Kenyah language development and other languages in Mahakam Ulu Regency (so that) continues to grow and reuse by the young generation,” Samson Batang hoped.
#MerdekaBelajar
#RevitalisasiBahasaDaerah
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma