Gema Bangsa and the Mission to Challenge Feudal Political Culture

By: dr. Yandra Doni – Head of Political Affairs, Gema Bangsa Party

If we’re being honest, Indonesian politics today remains deeply trapped in an old pattern—a feudal culture. Where elites act like kings, and party cadres below are expected to simply obey. All party decisions are made by a handful of people at the top, then handed down to the regions like royal decrees. There’s no room for questions, let alone dissent.

And yet, we call ourselves a democracy. So why are political parties still run like kingdoms?

Elites Dominate, the People Become a Formality

We see it clearly: who runs for office, who becomes a regional head, who gets assigned where—all decided by the central board (DPP). Meanwhile, regional and local boards (DPD, DPW, DPC) merely nod along. Even when they disagree, their voices go unheard. This is where I believe something is deeply wrong with the system we’ve inherited for far too long.

We can’t talk about political renewal if the way we manage it still resembles colonial times—where a few rule, thousands execute, but none have the power to speak.

Gema Bangsa: Not Here to Follow the Crowd

When we decided to establish Gema Bangsa, we knew the challenge would be great. We’re not a big party. We don’t yet have seats in parliament. But that’s exactly why we can speak honestly and start fresh. We carry no historical baggage. And we serve no “masters.”

Gema Bangsa wasn’t born to join the elite ranks. We’re here to open a new path: a party that grows from the grassroots, listens to the people, and values process—not just results.

Rejecting Command Culture, Embracing Deliberation

Feudal politics kills the spirit of collaboration. People become afraid to disagree. Afraid that if they don’t align with central leadership, they’ll be left off the candidate list. Afraid that if they oppose a strategy, they’ll be frozen out. That’s not healthy politics.

We want to reverse all of that. In Gema Bangsa, those who win elections are not above those who don’t. Those in parliament must still respect those working on the ground. Because we believe political victory is a collective effort—not the work of one person.

Cadres Must Be Cultivated, Not Appointed

I often say, Gema Bangsa is not a party that believes in shortcuts. We don’t look for the most popular figures—we look for those with character. We don’t choose candidates based on closeness to the chairman, but on track record, integrity, and community experience. And that takes time.

We’re building a true internal political school—so that everyone who represents Gema Bangsa in public understands our mission and is genuinely committed to serving the people.

This Nation Needs a Liberated Politics

If we want this country to move forward, we must start with its political system. And politics will never be healthy if parties are still ruled by feudal culture. Gema Bangsa stands to fight that. We want to return politics to its rightful place—as a space for the people’s struggle, not a stage for elites to divide up power.

So if you’re fed up with the current system, you’re not alone. Gema Bangsa is here to open a new path.

Because politics should not be about who holds the most power—but about who listens the most.