Bali sets April 2027 deadline for Balinese script on signs

Pancasari — Bali Governor Wayan Koster set the end of April 2027 as the deadline for offices, businesses, shops, tourism facilities and other public facilities across Bali to add Balinese script to their signs. He announced the deadline on Saturday, 26 September 2026, during an event at Pura Puncak Duwur Sari in Pancasari, Buleleng.

Why it matters: Businesses, offices, tourism facilities and public facilities across Bali that lack Balinese script on signs have until the end of April 2027 to comply.

Koster said the requirement applies to parties that have not yet used Balinese script on office signs, business identities, shops, buildings, roads, tourism facilities and other public facilities. The measure follows Bali Governor Regulation No. 80 of 2018 on the protection and use of the Balinese language, script and literature, as well as the organisation of Balinese Language Month, according to Bali Post and Jakarta Globe.

The regulation requires Balinese script to accompany Latin lettering on signs. Reports by Bali Post, RRI and Tribun Bali said Balinese script is to appear above the Latin text. For roadside locations without a conventional signboard, the reported format places Balinese script above Latin lettering, with specified red-and-white backgrounds and decorative lighting.

“I am giving everyone until the end of April 2027 at the latest,” Koster said, according to Jakarta Globe. He said all parties must be using Balinese script by that deadline.

What the deadline covers

• Office signs and business identities.
• Shops, stalls and buildings.
• Roads, tourism facilities and public facilities.

The announcement was made at Pura Puncak Duwur Sari in the customary village of Pancasari, where Koster attended a religious and cultural ceremony. The deadline concerns implementation of an existing provincial requirement rather than a new date for the regulation itself.

Sources

• Bali Post
• Jakarta Globe
• RRI
• Tribun Bali