JAKARTA — West Java received the 2026 Adibahasa award from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen) after recording a Language Development Index of 62.15, exceeding the national average of 51.56.

The award was received directly by the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of West Java Herman Suryatman from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti at the Peak of the 2026 Language and Literature Month at the Plaza Insan Berprestasi, Kemendikdasmen Complex, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (28/10/2026).

This achievement reflects West Java's efforts to develop, foster, and protect Indonesian and regional languages through collaboration between the government and the community.

Herman said that the award was the result of collaborative work between various elements, starting from the provincial government, districts/cities, sub-districts, villages and urban villages, the West Java Language Center, to the community who helped maintain the use of Indonesian and the preservation of regional languages.

"This is a collaboration of all parties so that West Java is given the honor of being the best province and receiving the 2026 Adilingual award with a language development index reaching 62.15, above the national average of 51.56," said Herman when met after the event.

According to him, efforts to advance languages cannot rely solely on the government. The participation of the public, the business world, universities, and various communities is necessary to ensure that Indonesian and regional languages remain alive and thriving amidst changing times.

"Thank you to West Java. This trophy is dedicated to the people of West Java and all regional components who have worked together to foster, develop, and protect our beloved languages, Indonesian, and our mother tongues, our regional languages," he said.

He reminded the Trigatra Bangun Bahasa principle as a guideline in maintaining the balance of language use, namely prioritizing Indonesian, preserving regional languages, and mastering foreign languages.

In the 2025 Language and Literature Development Index (IPEBAS), West Java scored 62.15. Several programs contributed to this achievement, including the publication of 100 bilingual translated books to expand access to knowledge, strengthening Indonesian language proficiency through the Indonesian Language Proficiency Test (UKBI), and fostering 50 institutions and mobilizing 92 literacy communities.

In terms of preserving regional languages, West Java also has a policy basis through West Java Provincial Regulation Number 14 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Regional Regulation Number 5 of 2003 concerning the Maintenance of Regional Languages, Literature and Scripts.

This commitment is carried out through the Mother Language Development program which involves 742 elementary and junior high school students from 27 districts/cities to learn and preserve regional languages.

Meanwhile, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti emphasized that the awards given to the recipients were a form of recognition for their dedication and contribution in advancing the Indonesian language.

"The awards you have received are not something that happens overnight, but rather demonstrate your dedication, commitment, and contribution, both as individuals and as an institution, to advancing and elevating the dignity and status of the Indonesian language," said Abdul Mu'ti.

He also appreciated the Language Agency which regularly holds a series of Language and Literature Months to strengthen the implementation of the Trigatra Bangun Bahasa (Language Development Trigatra).

The 2026 Adibahasa Award recognizes the achievements in West Java's language development and serves as a reminder that language preservation requires ongoing programs and community involvement, ensuring that Indonesian remains a unifying language and that regional languages are passed down to future generations.