Analysts predict that it will be an uphill climb for those looking to continue their families' legacies in the political arena, amid increasing challenges and scrutiny of politicians seen as inheriting the mantle from their forebears. 

Such dynasties are a familiar feature of the political landscape: Najib Razak, for example - one of Malaysia's most recognised politicians - is the son of the country's second prime minister, Abdul Razak Hussein. 

Najib went on to become prime minister himself, holding the top office until his fall from power in 2018 and his subsequent imprisonment on charges of corruption involving tens of millions of ringgit.

His daughter, Nooryana Najwa Najib, recently announced that she would run as an exco member of the Puteri Umno division, while his son, Mohamad Nizar Najib, won the Peramu Jaya state seat at the general election last November, marking the third generation of politicians from the family.  

Mohammed Taufiq Johari, the son of Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul, similarly won the Sungai Petani seat previously held by his father. 

On the flipside, in Permatang Pauh - long seen as a stronghold of PKR president Anwar Ibrahim - his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, who won the seat in 2018, failed to defend it for a second term.

Nurul's defeat came as a blow, given that Permatang Pauh was previously held by Anwar as well as her mother, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. 

Other so-called political dynasties include that of Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's longest serving prime minister, and Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Openg, as well as the Lim family - a reference to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang and his son, Lim Guan Eng. 

Analyst Hisommudin Bakar said that from one perspective, the children of prominent leaders embark on political careers themselves due to their parents' influence rather than their own ability.  

Nooryana's candidacy, for example, is seen as part of efforts to continue her grandfather's legacy, he said. 

But from another perspective, he added, such leaders are proud to have their children follow in their footsteps. 

"The question is to what extent this generation can survive in today's political landscape, which is very different from that of their father's or grandfather's," he told MalaysiaNow.  

"The political currents today are fierce. Politicians need strong leadership skills as well as mental strength and a good team spirit."

Hisommudin, the executive director of think tank Ilham Center, said the children of politicians must stand on their own without relying on their father's name.

Political observer Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Sabri agreed.

If the children of politicians had potential, he said, they would be accepted by other party members. 

If they were seen as riding on their family name, he added, they would be rejected. 

"We must also remember that the name of Najib Razak is nowhere as strong as it was during his time in power," Zaharuddin said. 

"So the chances of his children wielding any influence in this regard are small." 

Hisommudin meanwhile said that the children of politicians need strong grassroots support. 

"Look at Hishammuddin Hussein," he said, referring to the son of Malaysia's third prime minister, Hussein Onn, who was recently suspended from Umno in a purge of those seen as critical of the top leadership. 

"He started out in politics but things can change in the blink of an eye.

"If you don't have enough knowledge and you lose a fight, the legacy that you carry with you will disappear as well."  

https://www.malaysianow.com/news/2023/02/15/tough-times-ahead-for-the-family-business-of-political-dynasties