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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
World
Jonathan Yerushalmy

A family affair: can Asia break free from the power of its political dynasties?

Indonesian students shout slogans during a rally  against the government's attempt to reverse a constitutional court ruling to election laws.
Indonesian students shout slogans during a rally against the government's attempt to reverse a constitutional court ruling to election laws. Photograph: Hotli Simanjuntak/EPA

In early August, against a backdrop of deadly student-led protests, Bangladesh’s prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned her position, bringing to a close a political dynasty that stretched back to the country’s founding.

This week, students took to the streets on the other side of Asia, to protest against amended election laws that have helped foster the establishment of a new dynasty. In a few weeks Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia’s president – and with him his vice-president, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the 36-year-old son of current leader Joko Widodo.

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