BANDA ACEH | INDATANEWS.COM - The Aceh Provincial Government, through the Aceh Special Affairs Office and the People's Welfare Division of the Aceh Regional Secretariat, is stepping up efforts to preserve the Acehnese language, script and literature. The initiative was discussed at a cultural coordination meeting, which also served to disseminate Aceh Governor Instruction No. 5/Instr/2023 concerning the use of the Acehnese language, Acehnese script and Acehnese literature.
The event was held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the "Potensi Daerah I" Room at the Aceh Governor's Office in Banda Aceh. The forum brought together various stakeholders who play important roles in preserving the
Acehnese language, script and literature amid social change and technological development.
Several heads of work units within the Aceh Provincial Government also attended the event. The head of the Aceh Provincial Language Center, as well as representatives of universities offering Acehnese language and literature programs, including UNIKI, UBBG and ISBI Aceh, were also present at the coordination meeting.
Representatives from the Aceh Education Office, the Aceh Culture and Tourism Office, as well as heads of people's welfare divisions from various regencies and cities across Aceh, also took part. The participation of these diverse institutions demonstrates that preserving the
Acehnese language, script and literature requires cross-sectoral cooperation.
Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf opened the event through the Assistant for Government, Aceh Special Affairs and People's Welfare of the Aceh Regional Secretariat, Syakir. Meanwhile, the coordination meeting was chaired by the Head of the Aceh Special Affairs Office, Dr. Drs. Yusrizal, M.Si.
During the event, several speakers explained the policy framework and current situation regarding the use of the
Acehnese language, script and literature. They included the Head of the Aceh Provincial Language Center, Muhammad Irfan, S.S., M.Hum.; Syarwani Joni, S.Pd., M.Pd., representing the Aceh Education Office; and Nurlaila Hamzah, S.Sos., MM.
Coordinating the Implementation of the Governor's InstructionIn his written address, which was read at the opening of the event,
Muzakir Manaf expressed his appreciation to all parties involved in initiating and organizing the coordination meeting. He said the forum provided an important platform for consolidating, evaluating and aligning joint efforts to strengthen the preservation of the
Acehnese language, script and literature.
"The Acehnese language, script and literature are an inseparable part of the identity and cultural wealth of the Acehnese people," Muzakir said.
Muzakir explained that the
Aceh Government issued
Aceh Governor Instruction No. 5/Instr/2023 as an expression of its commitment to nurturing, protecting, preserving and developing the
Acehnese language, script and literature so that they remain alive and can be passed on to future generations.
The instruction applies to regency and city governments, provincial government work units, vertical government agencies, state-owned enterprises, Aceh-owned enterprises, banks and various institutions operating in Aceh. The Aceh Government has called on all institutions covered by the instruction to implement the regulation within their respective environments.
One of the provisions calls for the
Acehnese language to be used as a language of communication at least one day a week, namely every Thursday. The policy is a government effort to expand opportunities for the use of Acehnese in everyday life.
In addition to promoting the use of the Acehnese language, the Aceh Government is also encouraging the use of the Acehnese script, or Arabic-Jawi script, on nameplates and various information media. The measure is intended to introduce the regional script to a wider audience while ensuring its continued presence in public spaces.
Muzakir stressed that a policy would have little meaningful impact without concrete implementation on the ground. Therefore, the coordination meeting was an important opportunity to review progress in implementing
Aceh Governor Instruction No. 5/Instr/2023 across various sectors.
"The coordination meeting is very important to provide an overview of the implementation status of this instruction," he said.
Muzakir also called on all provincial government work units to continue identifying obstacles encountered in implementing the regulation. The
Aceh Government will use the findings of this assessment as a basis for improvement measures and further strengthening the implementation of the instruction.
USE OF THE ACEHNESE LANGUAGE AND SCRIPT: Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf calls for stronger cooperation between the government and all relevant stakeholders to promote the use and preservation of the Acehnese language, script and literature. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan)
The Younger Generation at the Center of Preservation Efforts
Muzakir acknowledged that the Acehnese language continues to be used within families and communities, as well as in traditional and religious activities. However, changing times have also affected the intensity of its use, particularly among the younger generation.
Globalization, the development of digital technology and the growing dominance of foreign languages have contributed to a tendency toward declining use of Acehnese in certain public settings and educational environments. This development is a concern because the younger generation plays an important role in ensuring the continuity of the regional language.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that globalization, the development of digital technology and the growing dominance of foreign languages have affected the intensity of
Acehnese language use, particularly among the younger generation," he said.
According to Muzakir, this trend must be addressed so that the Acehnese language does not gradually lose its place in social life. The government and all relevant stakeholders must develop approaches that respond to changing times, ensuring that the regional language remains relevant to young people.
Preserving a language, Muzakir said, means more than safeguarding a means of communication. Language is also closely connected to ways of thinking, values, history, local knowledge and the identity of the Acehnese people. Therefore, protecting the
Acehnese language must go hand in hand with comprehensive cultural preservation.
"This responsibility does not rest solely with the government, but also with families, educational institutions, traditional leaders, cultural practitioners, academics, business actors, the mass media and society as a whole," he said.
The statement makes clear that the government cannot carry out language preservation efforts alone. Families, schools, universities, cultural organizations, the media, businesses and society as a whole each have opportunities to strengthen the use and understanding of the
Acehnese language and script.
POLICY ON THE USE OF THE ACEHNESE LANGUAGE: Head of the Aceh Provincial Language Center Muhammad Irfan discusses with speakers and participants efforts to strengthen the implementation of policies concerning the use of the Acehnese language, script and literature. (PHOTO: Adli Safwan)
Innovative and Sustainable Strategies NeededMuzakir expressed hope that the coordination meeting would further strengthen cooperation among various stakeholders in implementing
Aceh Governor Instruction No. 5/Instr/2023. At the same time, he called on participants to develop more innovative strategies to increase the presence of the
Acehnese language, script and literature in everyday life.
This could be achieved by expanding the use of the Acehnese language in government offices, educational institutions, families, public spaces, the media and various social and cultural activities. At the same time, continued space must be provided for the Acehnese script, or Arabic-Jawi script, so that the public, particularly the younger generation, does not increasingly lose its connection with this cultural heritage.
Muzakir believes that strengthening the
Acehnese language, script and literature can also contribute to the development of the cultural and tourism sectors. The richness of the regional language and literature can form part of a cultural identity that enhances Aceh's appeal to both local communities and tourists.
Therefore, the Aceh Government hopes that implementation of Aceh Governor Instruction No. 5/Instr/2023 will not stop at fulfilling administrative requirements. The regulation must be reflected in practice and become part of the everyday habits of the people.
Through cooperation among the government, educational institutions, traditional leaders, cultural practitioners, academics, business actors, the mass media, families and society, the
Aceh Government hopes that the
Acehnese language, script and literature can continue to develop. These efforts are also part of preserving Aceh's identity and cultural wealth so that they remain alive and can be passed on to future generations.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Adli Safwan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala