Family Political Links
Ratu Atut's family is well-connected in political and government circles in Banten. Her father, Haji Tubagus Chasan Sochib (often known as Haji Hasan) who died in mid-2011, was a widely-known and somewhat controversial business entrepreneur and community leader in the Banten area.
At the time of Ratu Atut's reelection in 2011 it was reported that her husband, Hikmat Tomet, was member of Golkar in the Indonesian People's Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR), her younger sister, Ratu Tatu Chasanah, was the deputy district head of Serang Regency in Banten, her step-brother, Tb Haerul Nurjaman, was deputy mayor of Serang, her son, Andika Hazrumy, was a member of the Regional Representative Council (Dewan Perwakilan Daerah or DPD) in Jakarta, and her daughter-in-law, Adde Khairunnisa, was the deputy speaker of the Serang regional council. In addition, governor Atut's step-mother, Heryani, is the deputy regent (wakil Bupati) of the Pandeglang regancy, part of Banten province. Her sister-in-law, Airin Rachmi Diany, ran for election as head of the South Tangerang regency, a position she was subsequently elected to after some controversy.
In late 2012 Ratu Atut's brother-in-law, Aden Abdul Khalik, unsuccessfully ran for the position of head (bupati) of the Tangerang Regency in Banten province. Aden was supported in his bid by a range of small political parties including the United Development Party (PPP), the Indonesian Nahdlatul Ulama Party (PNUI, the Concern for the Nation's Function Party (PKPB) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) but not by the major Golkar party which both he and Ratu Atut belonged to at the time.
These sorts of extensive family linkages within the political system have led to discussion in recent years in Indonesia about the dangers of 'political dynasties' forming at the local level. The current arrangements in Banten are often cited in the Indonesian media as an example of the evolving role of some prominent Indonesian families in politics.
Read more about this topic: Ratu Atut Chosiyah
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