Can Widodo help liberate the Asean region from dynasties?

Across the globe, whether in advanced democracies or in banana republics masquerading as democracies, there is one sustained narrative in politics: the rule of political dynasties, or, at the very least, the rule of leaders from entitled families. More so in our own region.

The rule of dynasties and the rule of entrenched families, without a doubt, has its nerve center in the Malay world. Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia have their brown races deeply infatuated with political royalties. In fact, a once-part of the Malay world that is associated with First World growth and amazing meritocracy, Singapore, is even presided over by a legacy prime minister. Though Lee Kwan Yew’s son seems as bright and competent as the original.