The Youth Pledge, which will mark its 97th anniversary in 2025, stands as a pivotal milestone in uniting the nation through the Indonesian language. On October 28, 1928, Indonesian youth affirmed their commitment to one homeland, one nation, and one language: Indonesia. The Indonesian language was chosen as a unifying force amid the rich diversity of ethnicities and regional dialects. It serves not only as a symbol of unity but also as a medium for education, communication, and cultural expression. In today’s context, the proper and effective use of the Indonesian language reflects literacy and a deep appreciation for national culture. As the language of unity, it must be reinforced by strong reading habits to empower the younger generation to think critically and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on the reading habits of the Indonesian people. The national Reading Intensity Index (TGM) increased from 66.7 in 2023 to 72.44 in 2024. While this rise is encouraging, the score still falls within the “moderate” range (50.1–75), indicating that reading proficiency remains limited. This suggests that a strong reading culture has yet to take root, with many individuals reading primarily due to work or academic obligations rather than a genuine desire to expand their knowledge. Additionally, there is a noticeable preference for visual or audio content over lengthy texts. The TGM index is calculated based on a person’s reading frequency, reading duration, number of books read, and the frequency and duration of internet use for information.
According to BPS data (2024), the Special Region of Yogyakarta ranks highest among Indonesia’s 38 provinces, with a TGM score of 79.99. It is followed by the Bangka Belitung Islands (77.47), East Java (77.15), West Java (75.07), and South Kalimantan (74.63). Meanwhile, several regions in Eastern Indonesia continue to record significantly lower scores.
What about the city of Yogyakarta? Although known as a student city, it stays behind Gunungkidul, which recorded the highest 2024 TGM score in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), at 83.99. Meanwhile, Yogyakarta is still left behind Sleman (82.81) and Bantul (80.89), with a TGM of 78.47. This puts Yogyakarta in fourth place, above Kulon Progo (74.55). This presents a challenge for the city to improve its TGM score. Several steps can be taken to increase reading interest in Yogyakarta, including revitalizing school and community libraries with relevant and engaging collections, promoting communal reading in public spaces such as parks, cafes, and campuses, digital literacy training to enable young people to select credible information, and holding Indonesian language and literacy festivals as creative and educational platforms.
The Youth Pledge is not just history, but an ongoing commitment to national unity and progress. This spirit must be implemented through strengthening the Indonesian language and a reading culture. Literacy is the bridge to a brighter future, and young people are the architects.***
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