Antara, Denpasar – Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has given businesses, offices, and operators of public facilities until the end of April 2027 to comply with a long-standing requirement to display Balinese script on signs across the resort island.
"I am giving everyone until the end of April 2027 at the latest. By then, all parties must be using Balinese script," Koster said during a visit to Pancasari customary village in Buleleng on Saturday.
Koster made the statement while visiting Pura Puncak Duwur Sari, a Hindu temple associated locally with the early history of ancient Balinese civilization.
The requirement is not new. It stems from Bali Governor Regulation No. 80/2018 on the protection and use of the Balinese language, script and literature, which was enacted on Oct. 5, 2018.
Despite the policy having been in place for nearly eight years, Koster said many private offices, businesses, shops, food stalls, buildings and public facilities have yet to comply fully with the signage requirement.
Under the regulation, Balinese script must be displayed above Latin lettering, with the two presented in balanced proportions.
The requirement covers signs identifying Hindu places of worship, customary institutions, government and private offices, roads, tourism facilities, public facilities and other buildings. Balinese script is also required on certain building inauguration inscriptions.
For houses of worship belonging to other religions, the use of Balinese script is optional rather than mandatory.
The provincial guidelines also specify a red-and-white gradient background with black lettering for applicable signage.
Koster said displaying the traditional script was part of Bali's effort to preserve and strengthen its cultural identity.
He pointed to countries including China, India, Japan, South Korea and Russia as examples of societies that continue to prominently use their own writing systems.
Koster thanked local governments, national government agencies, educational institutions, hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, businesses and residents that have already adopted Balinese script.
However, he urged those that have yet to implement the policy to comply before the April deadline.
"If we, the Balinese people, do not take responsibility for the future continuity of Balinese civilization, then who will?" Koster said.
He described compliance with the policy as a shared responsibility to preserve Balinese cultural heritage for future generations.