The Mas'ud Dynasty: A Glimpse into Indonesia's Systemic "Family Power" The controversy surrounding East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas'ud and his family has exposed a deeper issue in Indonesian politics: the unchecked influence of powerful families.
Recent protests over the governor's extravagant spending on a luxury Range Rover, massage chair, and saltwater aquarium are symptoms of a larger problem – one that threatens to undermine Indonesia's democratic ideals.
The Mas'ud family's grip on East Kalimantan is not new. With multiple brothers holding key positions in the provincial administration, nepotism is evident.