During his second term as Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating the implementation of Bali Governor Regulation No 80 of 2018 on the Protection and Use of the Balinese Language, Script, and Literature.
Through more massive and structured efforts, Koster aims to ensure that the Balinese script is consistently present and used in all public spaces. He delivered this statement while officially opening the 8th Balinese Language Month in 2026 at the Ksirarnawa Building, Denpasar Cultural Park, on Sunday (February 1, 2026).
In his remarks, Governor Koster stated that based on his observations in the field, the use of the Balinese script has not yet been orderly or optimal. Therefore, in his second term, he is determined to push for a collective movement so that this ancestral script truly becomes part of everyday life.
“In this second term, I will push hard to make this a joint movement so that the Balinese script appears in all spaces. Use the Balinese script; if possible, without Latin letters, that would be cool,” said Governor Koster.
Not Merely Decorative
Later on, Governor Wayan Koster emphasized that the Balinese script is a fundamental element of Balinese culture that must be preserved. He compared Bali with countries such as Japan, Korea, China, and Thailand, which have successfully maintained their traditional scripts as part of their national identity.
“It is proven that countries that have their own scripts and are able to preserve them have strong civilizations and become advanced nations. In fact, these countries are now surpassing others,” he added.
According to Koster, the Balinese script is a noble heritage that reflects the extraordinary intelligence of Balinese ancestors.
“As a researcher, I think about how our ancestors were able to create such an extraordinary script to pass down. We inherit such a beautiful script; our task is simply to use it in an orderly manner,” he expressed. He also stressed that the script is not merely decorative.
“The message is about how we preserve heritage to strengthen our identity and character as Balinese people. So this is not just a fashion statement,” Koster explained as reported by The East Indonesia.
For that reason, Koster called on the Balinese community not to feel embarrassed about using the Balinese script.
“Do not be ashamed to use the Balinese script. Instead, be proud,” he asserted, while encouraging the growth of collective awareness and the courage to remind one another when violations in the use of the Balinese script are found.
To further expand its implementation, Governor Koster instructed the Bali Office of Industry and Trade to require the use of the Balinese script on all local Balinese products.
“All local Balinese products must be standardized to use the Balinese script. If they do not use it, they should not be marketed. I even visit hotels; if they do not use the script, I reprimand them,” he added.
This policy is in line with Bali Provincial Regulation Number 1 of 2018, strengthened by Governor Regulation Number 80 of 2018, which mandates the use of the Balinese script on office signboards, sacred sites, tourist attractions, public facilities, and roads throughout Bali.
Meanwhile, the Acting Head of the Bali Provincial Cultural Office, Ida Bagus Gde Wesnawa Punia, reported that the 8th Balinese Language Month is a direct implementation of these regulations.
The event runs for a full month, from February 1 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Atma Kerthi: Udiana Purnaning Jiwa,” which is interpreted as an altar of reverence for the Balinese language, script, and literature as a spiritual garden for building a noble soul.
Sources : The East Indonesia, AntaraBali
Feat Image : Bali Provincial PR Office