As a multicultural country, Indonesia has variety of local languages that are used daily and one national language that functions as a unified language called Indonesian. 

Local languages, like the national one, serve as tools in learning. Thus, it should be recognized the potential of local languages in increasing people’s understanding about our constitution. Logically, local people would comprehend the texts of the Constitution better with their mother tongue. Thus, it would be valuable to translate the Constitution into different traditional languages.   

The Constitutional Court (MK) has taken an initiative to translate the 1945 Constitution into numerous local languages, such as Javaness. In this effort, the MK has worked with the Center for Law and Constitutional Study  (PSHK), Law School of the Islamic University of Sultan Agung, Semarang.  The two institutions  conducted a seminar on “Translations of the 1945 Constitution into Jawa Kromo Madyo” last January 27-28, 2007 in Puri Garden Hotel, Semarang.   It was attended by Javaness language and cultural observers, academicians, journalists, and several puppeteers.   The Chairman of the Constitutional Court, Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie, S.H., opened this Seminar.

In his statements, Mr. Chairman explained the urgency of interpreting the 1945 Constitution to local languages in order to socialize, widen, and increase an awareness of a constitutional system.  In addition, the translation aims to preserve local languages as one aspect of culture and of the richness of our national language as written in Article 32, Clause (2), the 1945 Constitution.  It is also to help Javaness society be familiar with the Constitution. 

People have the rights to know and understand the 1945 Constitution and its revisions and the State is responsible for educating all people with no exception about the Constitution.

Note: Javaness Language recognizes three levels of benevolence.  The highest is Inggril, followed by Madyo, and Ngoko.  The Jawa Kromo Madyo refers to the middle level of modesty.  It is normally applied in a more formal manner and in conversations among respected people or to elders.