INDONESIA’S Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Anwar Makarim said the Indonesian language deserves more attention due to its history, law and linguistics, and is widely used in Southeast Asia and 47 other countries.

Nadiem said his ministry is responsible for expanding, building and protecting Indonesian language and literature, as well as enhancing the function of Indonesian language as an international language.

He is of the view that the proposal for Bahasa Melayu to be made an official language of Asean requires further study and discussion.

“As a minister, I resist the proposal. However, because there is a desire from our friendly neighbouring country to propose Malay as (an official) language of Asean, of course that desire needs to be studied and discussed further at the regional level,” he said in a statement.

The Indonesian Language Programme for Foreign Speakers (Bipa) is maintained by 428 agencies including under Nadiem’s ministry, as well as Bipa boards and activists around the world.

The Indonesian language is also a subject in several campuses in Europe, the United States, and Australia, as well as higher education centres in Asia

Last Friday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said Malaysia and Indonesia will continue to strengthen Bahasa Melayu to be made Asean’s official language.

In a joint press conference with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Ismail said both countries agreed to use Bahasa Melayu as the medium of communication at every international conference. – Bernama, April 5, 2022.