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Political dynasties still pivotal in 2014 elections

Christianto Wibisono from the Institute of Indonesia Presidency says three political dynasties retain a firm hold on current Indonesian politics; namely the Sukarno family, the Soehartos and Sarwo Edhie’s family

The Jakarta Post
Jakarta
Sat, July 6, 2013

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Political dynasties still pivotal in 2014 elections

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hristianto Wibisono from the Institute of Indonesia Presidency says three political dynasties retain a firm hold on current Indonesian politics; namely the Sukarno family, the Soehartos and Sarwo Edhie'€™s family.

The Sukarno family is best represented by Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri. Besides Megawati, her daughter Puan Maharani, niece Puti Guntur Soekarnoputri, brother Guruh Soekarnoputra are also known as politicians.

However, Christianto said none of them had what it took to enter next year'€™s presidential contest. That was why, he said, many believed that Megawati had groomed Jakarta Governor Joko '€˜Jokowi'€™ Widodo to take that role.

'€œEven though he is not part of the political family Jokowi could play a significant role in the 2014 presidential election if he gets Megawati'€™s endorsement and is nominated as presidential candidate by the PDIP,'€ Christianto said.

Similarly, the Soeharto family also lacks a promising member to be named as presidential candidate next year.

'€œBut the Wiranto and Hary Tanoesoedibjo ticket could be identified as persons affiliated with the Soeharto family because of their past closeness,'€ he said.

Chairman of the People'€™s Conscience Party (Hanura) Gen. (ret) Wiranto used to serve as then president Soeharto'€™s adjutant in the early 90'€™s while Hary Tanoesoedibjo, media mogul, used to be close to Soeharto'€™s third son, Bambang Trihatmojo.

The third family, that of Sarwo Edhie, is represented by son-in-law President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Sarwo Edhie'€™s son Pramono Edhie Wibowo, who has just retired from his post as army chief of staff.

Pramono has joined the Democratic Party and is believed by many to be the Sarwo Edhie family'€™s next political heir.

Political observer Tjipta Lesmana, has said political dynasty contravened the principle of democracy and therefore should be avoided. (hrl/dic)

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