I am no expert in Confucius teaching. Far from it. Recently, I have taken an interest in this great sage’s thoughts which have shaped the Chinese mindset and behaviour of the Chinese for more than 2000 years.
The Communist Party of China shut down his thoughts but reverted to his wisdom when Deng Xiaoping started his reformation. I have selected some quotes which I think can explain many problems in Malaysian recent history.
Confucius quotation: - “To govern is to be correct. If you set an example by being correct, who would dare remain incorrect?”
This quotation is fundamental. For many years, Many Malaysian political leaders have failed to be a role model for Malaysian citizens. Far too many have become rogue models, exhibiting worst traits in politicians like arrogance, corruption, religious and racial bigotries.
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It will be interesting to see how many politicians have the courage to place their right hand on the holy books to say that they have a clear conscience or that they have placed national or people’s interest above their own.
If they have, Malaysia would have become an Asian Tiger on par with South Korea, Singapore and Taiwan. The fact that we are not is very telling of the quality of Malaysian politicians.
The saddest part is that Malaysians in general have accepted these political scoundrels like celebrities.
If Malaysian politicians have governed by being correct as Confucius has rightly pointed out, we would not be in the present financial dilemma.
What about the politicians after GE14? The older ones have changed little. Still full of selfish motives.
Their definition of “being correct” needs a long stretch of imagination. I do see hope in some of the younger politicians who have aspirations of “being correct”. Though they may be a little “green”, Malaysians should give them time to settle down.
Malaysia’s future is in the younger/newer political leaders. But Malaysians have to possess higher ethical standard and courage to tell bad politicians if they have misbehaved.
Confucius quotation: - “He who exercises government by means of his virtue may be compared to the north polar star, which keeps its place and all the stars turn towards it.”
There are a number of Malaysian leaders who have been the “north polar stars”. Coming into my mind are Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Razak, Tun Hussein On, Tun Ismail Rahman [former DPM], Tun Ismail Ali [former BNM Governor] and Tun Tan Siew Sin. I must mention my favourite Tok Guru Nik Aziz. They have been best role models for all Malaysians to emulate. Their virtuous behaviour is truly outstanding and worthy of admiration.
Confucius quotation: - “In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of.”
So very true. In a well-managed country, poverty should be rare. Malaysia’s poverty rate is unacceptable as we have oil and so many natural resources. Are we ashamed that so many Malaysians are living in poverty? No. We have come to accept poverty as a norm, with many politicians paying lip service to eradication of poverty, while filling up their bank accounts.
Most unfortunate for us, we have also sunk to a very low ethical level because we have also accepted as normal and admire people who have become rich through corruption, exploitation of monopolies/sweetheart deals dished out by government.
Our moral compass has spiralled down south!
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Confucius quotation: - “The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home.”
All too often, we have forgotten that the basic unit of a nation is the family. To build up a strong nation, integrity of the family must be cultivated from young in the family and reinforced/supplemented by the whole education system. In its place, Malaysian political leaders have replaced basic moral values with racial bigotry, encourage reliance on privileges. Integrity has been thrown out of the window.
The family units have been weakened by bad examples of rogue leaders who have exhibited no shame of CBT and corruption.
Confucius quotation: - “An oppressive government is more to be feared than a tiger.”
All too often we have seen in many countries that have oppressive governments with people being arrested in the dead of night for saying something unfavourable about the government or leaders.
When this happens the fundamental right of citizens has been violated. Malaysians need to watch out when our basic civil liberties are endangered.
If we are not alert and be courageous to safeguard our rights, then our government can become the fearsome tiger.
Let’s see if the PH government will repeal draconian laws which they have promised to do in their manifesto.
Confucius quotation: - “It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve, and bad things are very easy to get.”
So very true. No-brain politicians who cannot produce useful ideas to make Malaysia great have taken the easy out.
They rely on racial and religious bigotries. Why? Because these can arouse emotions easily for them to generate political support.
These leaders have dead conscience for they know their action will inflict irretrievable damage in our interracial peace and harmony and eventually destroy our country.
Of course, to come out productive with ideas and implement them with the highest ethical standards is difficult. That is why we want true and honest leaders.
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Even after GE14 when “New Malaysia” is supposed to have taken place, a number of politicians are still unashamedly stirring up racial and religious feelings of race against another.
Confucius quotation: - “He who will not economize will have to agonize.”
Many Malaysians have over spent and have little savings for a rainy day. Political leaders have created and aggravated this problem to a large extend. To attract political support, many of them keep telling Malaysians that they or the government can keep on dishing subsidies for the people. If this attitude does not change, many Malaysian families will remain poor. Very few Malaysian political leaders have the courage to tell their supporters that they need to economize, work hard and save.
Confucius quotation: - “Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue.”
Our politicians are fond of hearing fine words or put it bluntly, only sugar-coated words about them from their hanger-on. They don’t like honest opinions or people who tell them the truth. Such honest people are often treated as enemies. Honest opinions are unwelcome!
Confucius quotation: - “Respect yourself and others will respect you.”
We have a peculiar situation with this quotation. Many Malaysian leaders have a false or over rated self-respect. Some of them even demand respect. They can get offended if they are not addressed as YBs, not realizing respect can only be earned. Many YBs have too much respect for themselves but have little respect from the people. Confucius gives a tremendous importance for leaders to be humble, sincere in being concerned for people’s welfare.
Confucius’ reward for honest political leaders.
A good leader has 3 basic responsibilities to the people, namely food, army [security] and people’s faith/confidence in him. Of these three, a honest leader should consider keeping faith/confidence with the people is more important than food and army. The people are willing to sacrifice food and army for a good leader
In another word, the people will go to the end of the world for a honest leader.
Is there a Malaysian leader who can inspire such loyalty from Malaysians?