Lai See | Suharto ties with Chinese financial backer still hold lessons for Indonesia

The election of Joko Widodo as Indonesian president appears to mark a clean break from the past era of cronyism and special interests in the country. Jokowi, as he is known, is a man of humble origins with no strong establishment links.

But a new book by veteran journalist Richard Borsuk and his academic wife Nancy Chng is a timely reminder of the political power still wielded by big business in Indonesia.

The book traces the 40-year history of the relationship between Liem Sioe Liong and the autocratic president Suharto. A is a Chinese financial backer who is given protection by powerful military or political leaders in Indonesia.

There are plenty of examples of rich people currying favour with people in power. But nothing in recent Asian history perhaps surpasses the deep symbiotic pact between Liem and Suharto.

The relationship in fact went beyond mere patronage and was more akin to a deep political-economic alliance that helped forge the modern Indonesian economy.

The story, which unfolds against the dramatic backdrop of Indonesia's New Order, holds important lessons today for Indonesia, where cronyism is certainly not dead and buried.

While Widodo appears to be retreating from the dark days when generals and tycoons held total sway over national policy, there are already doubts he can break free entirely from their power.