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| The Vice Rector I of UMM, Syamsul Arifin, officially opened the SIBI 2022 (Photo: Zaki PR of UMM) |
A country must preserve its language and culture to protect its identity in the digital era. The figure of NGO Socioculture Malaysia, Tan Sri Prof. Datuk Wira Dr Abdul Latif Bin Abu Bakar, delivered the idea in the Indonesian Language International Seminar (Translated: Seminar Internasional Berbahasa Indonesia) with the theme of New Direction of Social, Politics, and Humanity in the Digital Society of Sustainable Development.
The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of UMM conducted the agenda with 120 attendees from 23rd until 24th November 2022. Even though the seminar's title is "international", uniquely, the language spoken throughout the colloquium was the Indonesian-Malay language instead of English as an effort to internationalise the Indonesian language.
Abdul further explained that Indonesia and Malaysia are from one family, Melayu. It also applies to other countries with Malay lineage and who speak the Malay language. Abdul called it an archipelago family or a Malay one. In his view, a family should stay intact with facing conflicts.
He also encouraged countries to constantly preserve their culture and language, even during the rapid development of technology and information. Abdul emphasised that people who understand technology but do not recognise social and cultural aspects can negatively impact their countries' identities.
He added, "This preservation effort must be done constantly not only by older generation, but also youth, who will continue leadership milestone."
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Besides Abdul, several speakers from a few countries, like Myoung Sook Kang, Habib Zarbaliyev, Laurent Metzger, and so on, review various related things and share new perspectives simultaneously in the agenda.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr Muslimin, M. Si., the Dean of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, expressed that the seminar aims to make the Malay-Indonesian language become one of the world's languages because 59 countries currently are studying the Malay-Indonesian language. Also, if the Malay-Indonesian language becomes an academic language, it will enable scientific works to be published quickly.
Besides the seminar providing opportunities to exchange ideas, it also aims to strengthen and develop sciences through current issues. Muslimin asserted that the Act. No. 24 of the Year 2009 regulates the obligation to use the Indonesian language in the name of brands, buildings, flats, educational institutions, offices, streets, etc.
In addition, he emphasised, "The information of domestically or internationally produced goods and services distributed in Indonesia, must be in oral or written Indonesian language, which enables the language spoken in various locations and situations."
The Vice Rector I of UMM, Dr Syamsul Arifin, M. Si., shared a similar idea. He expressed his appreciation related to the agenda of the Indonesian Language International Seminar 2022. The first thing is the seldom use of the Indonesian language in international seminars. Syamsul believes that this step can enable the language to be spoken by people worldwide.
He reinforced, "Second, the topic raised is related to social and political in the context of digital society. We, of course, expect there will be creative and innovative ideas that can be applied in the form of articles or other platforms." (imh/zak/wil)
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