Indonesia Mandiri” Becomes the New Breath of Grassroots Politics

Jakarta — Amid growing public fatigue with elitist and centralized politics, a new spirit has emerged from the heart of the capital. On January 17, 2025, a group of cross-sectoral figures declared the founding of the Gema Bangsa Party—a party born from the pulse of the Gerakan Mandiri Bangsa (Independent Nation Movement), carrying a simple yet powerful message: Indonesia must rise from the grassroots.

At the Jakarta Declaration 2025 event, the party’s manifesto was read by Ike Julies Tiati on behalf of the initiators. They emphasized that this party does not belong to the elite, nor is it a corporate political vehicle. “This belongs to the people. Every member has full rights over the party’s future,” said Chairman Ahmad Rofiq, also known as a former secretary-general of a major party.

What sets Gema Bangsa apart is its decentralized structure. Each region is granted full authority to manage its own political affairs. “We want to reverse the old logic. It’s not the center that dictates the regions, but the regions that define the direction,” Rofiq asserted.

Their tagline, Indonesia Reborn, Indonesia Mandiri (Independent Indonesia), is more than a slogan. It reflects a bold vision: to build a strong nation from empowered individuals and communities. The party’s logo was designed around the philosophy of the Trilogy of Independence—individual, society, and nation.

In his address, Chairman of the Advisory Board Andogo Wiradi reminded the nation not to lose its identity amid globalization. “Let’s not be so dazzled by foreign progress that we forget our own cultural roots,” he said.

Gema Bangsa was not founded to add to the list of parties—but to open a new space: a space for ordinary people to speak up, take action, and shape the nation’s direction. A small step that could mark the beginning of great change.