13th September, 2019 — The East Kalimantan Language Office performed the Socialization on the State Language Usage in the Public Space of East Kutai Regency on Tuesday, 10th September, 2019 at Tempudau Room, the East Kutai Regent’s Office. It was attended by forty five participants who came from educational institutions, legal private institutions, and government agencies in East Kutai Regency. Three employees from the East Kalimantan Language Office acted as speaker, namely Anang Santosa, Ali Kusno, and Nur Bety.
In his remarks, Head of the East Kalimantan Language Office, Anang Santosa, said that the language usage in public space is a reflection of the users’ attitude and competence. Thus, a positive attitude on the usage of language in public space is needed, such as attitude in language order, in accordance with the provisions of the law and language rules. In addition, the Government and Regional Administration need to create language order to strengthen and prioritize the State language usage in the public space. The three languages that were live around us had to keep alive and supported.
Besides, the Head added that the State language or Indonesian language is not only a means of communication, but also as a tool that has a capability in maintaining the sovereignty and uniting the diversity of Indonesia. Indonesian language has functions as national identity, unifier, and the official language of the State. Furthermore, indigenous languages functioned as the national personality former, enforcer identity, and a means of developing regional culture within the Indonesian frame. At the last, foreign languages laid out as a proponent in international communication.
According to Anang Santosa, in prioritizing the State language, we refer to the mandate of the Youth Pledge, 28th October 1928, The 1945 State Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia Article 36, Law Number 24 of 2009 on Flag, Languages, and Symbols of the State, and National Anthem, Government Regulation Number 57 of 2014 on Development, Fostering, and Protection of Language and Literature, and Improvement of Indonesian Language Functions, Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs Number 40 of 2007 on Guidelines for Regional Heads in the Preservation and Development of State Language and Indigenous Languages, Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 42 of 2018 on National Linguistic and Literary Policies, and Circular of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 12 of 2018 on Prioritizing of State Language in Public Space.
Anang conveyed that the endeavor in dignity the Indonesian language has been attempted, but it found that, in the public space, our official language is placed at lower position in practice. If we compare it to foreign languages, Indonesian written is disobedient, be smaller, and not light in strategic locations. As a result, it bothered, threatened, or hampered the fostering of Indonesian language.
On the same occasion, the Regent of East Kutai, H. Ismunandar, in his remarks, welcome the implementation of the Socialization on the State Language Usage in the Public Space of East Kutai Regency. The Regent said that as good Indonesian citizens, let us make Indonesian language as host in our own country. In addition, Indonesian as the language of unity has agreed by the youth since the period of struggle. Hence, let us continue to maintain it in order to be good Indonesian people personality.
Chairman of the committee, Nur Bety, reported that the event is a follow up of taking data activity on the public space study in East Kutai Regency last March. She added this activity is one of the fostering efforts from the East Kalimantan Language Office through monitoring and socializing the usage of State language in East Kalimantan Province, especially in East Kutai Regency, in order to improve the language orderly situation.
Translated by Muhammad Erwin Darma