<
https://theconversation.com/marcos-junior-is-the-latest-beneficiary-of-bloodlines-in-southeast-asian-politics-184246>
"While there is widespread nervousness at the victory of Ferdinand Marcos
junior in the Philippines, for many of us it was a reminder that “blood” is
still an important element in the politics of the developing world.
Before you get smug, it’s called “political dynasties” in the developed world.
In the US, it’s the Kennedy, Bush and Clinton families.
In much of Southeast Asia, the idea of political blood is taken much more
seriously. Despite the modernisation process, politics is still stuck in the
old ways.
A brief look is disturbing. In the Philippines, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and
Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III both succeeded their parents as president of the
Philippines. In Indonesia, Megawati Sukarnoputri is the daughter of the
country’s first president, Sukarno. In Thailand, Yingluck Shinawatra succeeded
her brother Thaksin as prime minister. Singapore is ruled by Lee Hsien Loong,
son of Lee Kuan Yew. Najib Razak is the son of Malaysia’s second prime
minister, Abdul Razak Hussein. And Hun Manet, the son of Hun Sen, is almost
certain to take over Cambodia soon.
These are the most prominent ones. The truth is thousands of others in the
region hold high political office due to their bloodline.
Others are waiting: Mahathir Mohamad’s son Mukhriz in Malaysia, Agus Harimurti
Yudhoyono, the son of former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
(SBY), Panthongtae Shinawatra, the only son of Thaksin, all have a shot at
their nation’s highest office. Hishammuddin Hussein, son of Malaysia’s third
prime minister, is in the same boat. If they did not come from rich and
powerful families, it is unlikely they would ever attain high office."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
