NO POLITICAL DYNASTIES, NEOPOTISM OR FAMILY BUSINESS?

With the existing Malaysian political culture, it seems that the political scenario is marching a big step forward facing with a dramatics changing in its fundamental practices. Many children or relatives of Malaysian politician’s heritage nature and nurture are following in the footsteps of their elders foraying into politics by contesting seats for the country's 12th general elections.

As they are grown up in a political environment, they are actively involved in politics and even contesting their father's seat while some others are battling in other constituencies for the March 8, 2008 elections.

Ironically, it is a good evolution as those who are participated are well qualified academically. Gone with the days the representatives can’t even speak nor write properly in Bahasa Malaysia or representing the voters to sleep in the Dewan.

The political school of thought that political nepotism and political dynasties seem getting common in Malaysia as some seats in the general elections are being “passed” from one generation to another, as though they are family businesses, are not buying.

In our constitution, there exists no clause or what so ever that somebody can not participate in the election. More over, those “inherited” are fighting inside the parties and hold top ranking posts.

Heading the Malaysia's leaders, for instance, is Najib Razak, son of the country's second Prime Minister, Abdul Razak. Hot on his heels is Hishamuddin Hussein, son of the third premier, Hussein Onn, and grandson of Onn Jaafar, the founder of the dominant United Malays National Organization (UMNO).

Now, with the nomination candidates list, the family links which could be found among political parties, be it Barisan Nasional or the Opposition is:

1. > Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s son-in-law Khairy Jamaluddin, 32-year-old, contesting in Rembau, Negri Sembilan. With a background in journalism and investment banking, his university education at Oxford University and graduated with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics(PPE). He is currently the division Youth chief of Rembau and the deputy chief of the youth wing of the Malaysian political party, UMNO.

2. > Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, is the third son and fifth child of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is contesting in Jerlun. In 2004, Dato’ Mukhriz graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management – Marketing from Boston University, USA in 1989. He had a distinguished career with Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd, Kuala Lumpur with over ten (10) years experience in business and project development and served as the Senior Advisor to the President of Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Ltd.

He held various posts of several business firms, which include Opcom Holdings, Kosmo Tech as well as the Malaysian Franchise Association. He is also the executive director of Perdana Peace Global Organisation. He is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Malaysian cancer vaccine company, Bioven.

He won the election of the UMNO Youth exco by garnering the highest number of votes.

3. > Lim Si Pin, son of former Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik (incumbent Beruas MP), who is contesting in Batu parliamentary seat. He holds double degrees in economics and law from Yale University. He works as a finance manager in a securities firm in helping companies get listed or arranging for rights issues. He has been involved in politics for a decade and currently he is the deputy chief Gerakan Youth.

4. >Datuk Ling Hee Leong, 38 eldest son of former Malaysian Transport Minister and former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik, is fielded in Gopeng, Perak. He has a degree in economics and politics from the University of London. He is one of the youngest emerging businessmen in the country. His life culture is eat, drink and be merry, like his father, Hee Leong is a grassroots man who can sit, eat and drink with his friends anywhere, be it in a coffee shop or five-star setting. Currently he is the MCA Youth Deputy Chief and Kuala Kangsar MCA division chief,

5. >Chua Tee Yong, 31, son of former Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek. He is contesting in Labis, Johore. He works as the chief financial officer.

6. > Lim Guan Eng, 48, son of the Opposition Leader in the Malaysian Parlimen, who is standing in Bagan, Penang. He is married to Betty Chew, another prominent member of the DAP. Currently, he is the Secretary-General of the DAP.

7. > Gobind Singh Deo, 35, son of DAP national chairman and a prominent Malaysian Sikh leader Karpal Singh, is standing in Puchong. He is a lawyer. Currently he is DAP National Legal Advisory Bureau secretary and DAP National Publicity Bureau secretary.

8. > Jagdeep Singh Deo, 37, another son of Karpal, is DAP's candidate for the Datuk Keramat, Penang state seat. While he is just 29, he is already involved in the sodomy trial of Anwar Ibrahim, where the senior Singh is also among the main defense lawyers. Jagdeep, who is often seen by his father's side in court, is the lawyer for Anwar's adopted brother, Sukma Darmawan.

9. >Mujahid Yusof, son of PAS leader the late Yusof Rawa, is contesting in Parit Buntar, Perak. The 44-year-old PhD graduate in Islamic political science and PAS’ national unity bureau chief is contesting again despite the lost in his two previous tries. He is among the new breed of professionals group within the Islamic opposition party led by deputy president Nasharuddin Mat Isa.

10. >Nurul Izzah, daughter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is contesting in Lembah Pantai, parliamentary seat in KL. The 27-year-old Nurul Izzah Anwar, eldest daughter of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim and president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. The eloquent Nurul Izzah, fondly called ‘Puteri reformasi’, is ready to contest for a seat for the first time.