Amidst the excitement f the just-concluded Umno divisional elections, it is not difficult for ordinary people to observe that in Malay politics, the emotive remnants of families and pedigrees are still conspicuous. In this Umno party elections, the sons of all the four former prime ministers were involved. Let us also not forget that in English, the husband of one's daughter is called 'son-in-law'.

If there are no accidents or unexpected changes, Malaysia's next prime minister as well as his successor will most probably be sons of former prime ministers.

In MCA's early years, there was also the politics of families and pedigrees: after the death of Tan Cheng Lock, his presidential position was taken over by his son, Siew Sin. However, the practice was discontinued later because post-Siew Sin MCA presidents departed from their positions when they were still not old and also their family members were seldom involved in politics.

However, family politics or the son-succeeds-father pattern simultaneously happens in Malaysia and Singapore. In Singapore's People's Action Party (PAP), the son of Lee Kuan Yew, Hsien Loong (photo left) will become the next prime minister of the republic.

Its Malaysian offshoot, DAP will also hold its party representative conference which would most likely elect Lim Guan Eng (photo right)to a top party position. Guan Eng is the son of DAP chief and Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang.