Sunday, April 17, 2011

Penang Series Part III: The Benevolent Leader

Debating military affair in the presence of King Xiaocheng of Zhao (reigned 265-245 B.C), the lord of Linwu claimed the essential point in the art of military are utilizing the most seasonable times of heaven and most profitable aspects of the earth, observe the movement of enemy, set out after he does, but get there before him.

Xunzi, a Confucian philosopher during the period of the “hundred philosophers” in China beg to differ. He believed that the basis of all warfare and undertaking lies in the unification of the people under the benevolent leader. To him, if the bow and arrow are not properly adjusted, even the most famous archer could not hit the mark. If the six horses of the team are not properly trained, even the most famous carriage driver could not go far. If the officers and people are not devoted to their leaders, even the sages could not win victory. In contrast, a tyrant may practice deception but only success against another tyrant if their plot is relatively better but will fail against a benevolent leader.

In Penang, one may find such benevolent leader in its current Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng. After his Pakatan Rakyat team won the mandate to form state government in March 2008 General Election, Penang state prospers greatly. His benevolent leadership has been noticed until even Hong Kong TVB made a documentary on him. The documentary can be viewed through the following links.

TVB (HK) on Lim Guan Eng (Part 1 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRQjmS-SDlE&feature=player_embedded

TVB (HK) on Lim Guan Eng (Part 2 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFqwQFua1rw&feature=related

TVB (HK) on Lim Guan Eng (Part 3 of 3)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuGpg0rD_Us&feature=related

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