Part 11/12:
Looking back, Indonesia’s history reveals how authoritarian regimes nurtured dynasties to maintain control. Suharto’s family amassed enormous wealth and influence—controlled in part by "Suharto, Inc."—yet, after his fall, the country embarked on reforms aimed at decentralizing power and curtailing cronyism.
Despite these efforts, the revival of family-based politics indicates that the roots of nepotism remain deeply embedded. The persistence of elite families, combined with a fragile yet resilient democratic framework, suggests that Indonesia’s journey toward truly egalitarian political representation is ongoing.