The slang term nepo baby - short for nepotism baby - can be traced back to the Italian word nipote, meaning nephew, which referred to the advantages the nephews of popes would often receive. Here in Malaysia, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah, daughter of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is being pushed to run for deputy president in party polls this May. Although she's not the only person in politics to have followed in her father's footsteps, her growing popularity has raised familiar questions about legacy and merit. So we delve into the implications of nepotism—not just in politics but also media, entertainment, and beyond—and how it shapes opportunities, influence public perception, and spark debate about merit versus legacy.

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