Yandra Doni: Democracy Must Begin from the Ground Up, Not from Top-Down Orders
Tangsel, June 16, 2025 — For some, politics is the domain of the elite. But for Dr. Yandra Doni, affectionately known as Babeh, true politics is born from the ground up—from the voices of the people, from real-life experiences in the field, and from those who face society’s challenges every day.
In a public dialogue forum, Babeh candidly shared his views on the current political climate, which he believes is still too heavily controlled from the top. According to him, the dominant top-down model has narrowed the space for public participation in shaping the nation’s direction.
“We no longer live in a monarchy. If all decisions come only from the central elite, then what’s the point of having local leaders? What’s the role of the people?” he asserted.
Healthy Politics Must Grow from the Roots
Yandra believes a healthy political system is one that allows everyone to participate actively—not just as administrative accessories. He emphasized the importance of involving grassroots structures in every decision-making process so that policies truly reflect the needs and hopes of the people.
“If everyone is just told to follow without being given a voice, then the system isn’t democratic—it’s centralistic. And that’s not healthy for the nation’s future,” he said.
He also stressed that leadership recruitment should not be based on proximity to power or financial capital, but on personal capacity and integrity. Otherwise, strategic positions in government will continue to be filled by those disconnected from the people’s struggles.
Democracy Needs Critical Voices
Babeh also highlighted the weakening of opposition and critical voices in parliament. He warned that this trend is dangerous, as it allows public policy to proceed without proper oversight.
“If every party just nods along, it’s the people who suffer. A democracy without critical voices is like a house with no emergency exit,” he remarked.
Education and Character: The Nation’s Foundation
Beyond politics, Babeh also addressed the issue of national education. He believes many of the country’s problems—including corruption—stem from a crisis of character that current education systems fail to address.
“We’re literally ill-mannered—we’re not taught honesty, responsibility, or shame when we’re wrong. Schools chase grades but forget to shape the heart,” he said.
Social Change Begins with the Courage to Speak
In closing, Yandra emphasized that change can only happen when people have the courage to speak honestly—even from uncomfortable positions. He called on everyone to return to the core values of democracy: listening, involving, and fighting for the people’s voice.
“We want to prove that politics can be honest, dignified, and started by ordinary people with extraordinary dreams for their country,” he concluded.
Yandra Doni’s remarks were warmly received by forum participants, especially young people who are increasingly critical of how the political system operates today. Many saw his perspective as a breath of fresh air in a national discourse that has begun to lose its way.
