Yogyakarta Tops Indonesia’s Democracy Index 2025 with 89.25
Yogyakarta once again proves that democracy is not just an institution — it’s a living culture.
javadiscovery.com – For yet another year, the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) has secured the highest position in Indonesia’s Democracy Index (IDI) with an impressive score of 89.25. This achievement places DIY ahead of 37 other provinces, reaffirming its status as the region with the most robust democratic climate in the country.
Celebrating the Spirit of Democracy
The award was officially presented during the National Coordination Meeting on the 2025 Democracy Index Achievements, held by Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara, on September 25, 2025.
Representing the province, Lilik Andi Aryanto, Head of the Yogyakarta Agency for National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol DIY), received the recognition with pride. He noted that DIY’s IDI score had risen sharply — from 83.88 in the previous year to 89.25 in 2025.
“This proves that Yogyakarta continues to nurture a participatory, inclusive, and law-based democratic environment,” Lilik emphasized. “It’s not merely an award — it’s a shared responsibility to preserve the quality of democracy amid the evolving social and political dynamics of our society.”
A Democracy Rooted in Culture
Lilik credited the achievement to collaboration among the provincial government, BPS DIY, the IDI working group, and the wider community. For him, democracy must be alive — practiced daily, people-centered, and in harmony with local wisdom.
“The strength of Yogyakarta’s democracy lies in its culture of dialogue, freedom of expression, and active media participation in monitoring the government,” he added. “This is a democracy that grows from the roots of Yogya’s cultural values — where constructive criticism and social harmony coexist.”
The National Perspective
Meanwhile, Major General Heri Wiranto, Deputy for Domestic Political Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry, highlighted Indonesia’s unique democratic character. As a diverse nation — multiethnic, multicultural, and multireligious — Indonesia’s democracy cannot simply mirror foreign models.
“The central government fully supports efforts to strengthen democracy in line with national ideals. We must cultivate a peaceful, inclusive, and culturally grounded democratic culture,” he stated.
More Than Just a Number
Heri also explained that the Indonesian Democracy Index serves as a vital instrument for assessing democratic quality across provinces. It measures three key dimensions: civil liberties, equality, and the capacity of democratic institutions.
“These numbers must reflect real practice, not just paperwork,” he noted. “True democracy lives in the daily lives of the people — in open discussions, community empowerment, fearless journalism, and in a government that listens.”
Yogyakarta’s Living Model of Democracy
With its 2025 score, DIY stands as a living laboratory of democracy in Indonesia — where civic freedoms, communal deliberation, and public participation thrive. The achievement reinforces Yogyakarta’s reputation not only as a land rich in heritage but also as a model of mature and participatory governance.
As Lilik concluded, “Scores may rise and fall, but true democracy must continue to take root in the everyday lives of our people.”
