The stranglehold of dynastic traditions.

On Wednesday 09 December 2020, Indonesia held regional head elections. The President’s son and son-in-law were elected mayor of Solo and Medan respectively.

Bobby Nasution gets out and about during his campaign to be mayor of Medan in the province of North Sumatera in 2020. Source: Getty Images

Yoes C. Kenawas is writing a dissertation on the varieties of dynastic politics in Indonesia. He explains Jokowi’s motives and also the broader trend to dynastic politics in Indonesia. What does the trend reveal about opportunities for political participation?

Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 pm.

Follow us on Facebook and catch us on podcasts.

And you can keep abreast of the latest information about the corona virus in your language at sbs.com.au/coronavirus

Yoes C Kenawas believes the power of poltical dynasties has grown even stronger in the last two decades. Why? Source: Photo courtesy Yoes C. Kenawas, 2018.