Inp.polri.go.id - Pangkalpinang.  Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has raised concerns over the extinction of 11 regional languages in the country, citing declining numbers of speakers as the primary cause. According to Hafidz Muksin, Secretary of the Ministry's Language Development and Enhancement Agency, the decline in these languages is attributed to a lack of usage and transmission to younger generations, as reported by antaranews.com He highlighted the current status of regional languages in Indonesia, revealing that out of 24 languages, 19 are considered vulnerable due to a decline in the number of speakers while three languages are in a steady decline. Furthermore, 25 languages are deemed endangered, with most speakers aged 20 and above, and elders no longer passing down the language to younger generations. Five languages are critically endangered, with only small groups of people aged 40 and above still speaking them. "These endangered languages are predominantly found in eastern Indonesia," Muksin said. He identified 11 regional languages facing extinction, including Tandia in West Papua, Mawes in Papua, Kajeli or Kayeli in Maluku, Piru in Maluku, and Moksela in Maluku. Others include Palumata in Maluku, Ternateno in North Maluku, HUKUmina in Maluku, Hoti in Maluku, Serua in Maluku, and Nila in Maluku. "The situation in eastern Indonesia is characterized by a plethora of regional languages but a sparse population, whereas in western Indonesia, there are fewer regional languages but a denser population," he said. (mg/inp/pr/nm)