From Singapore to Thailand, why are political sibling rivalries such a huge draw?
- The Sukarnoputri sisters in Indonesia, Singapore’s Lee siblings and the royal family of Thailand electrify the public with their personal and electoral spats
- These family feuds are particularly riveting in countries where politics are elitist or staid, according to an analyst
But blood does not always bind siblings in politics.
Rachmawati is known as a staunch critic of her sister. During last year’s bruising legislative and presidential elections, Rachmawati – as a senior member of the opposition Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) – campaigned against Megawati. The PDIP prevailed in the end, winning the most seats in parliament.
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Singapore's ruling People’s Action Party seeks vote of confidence in upcoming general election
Lee Hsien Yang, 62, the younger son of the island nation’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew, is not standing as a candidate, but has urged voters to end the parliamentary supermajority of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), which he said had given it too much power.
Across Southeast Asia, from Thailand to Indonesia, family feuds or sibling rivalries among the region’s ruling elites never fail to rivet public attention.
“In countries where politics are very elitist or staid, the family disputes are entertaining,” said Professor Zachary Abuza, who specialises in Southeast Asia studies at the Washington-based National War College.