Business and Politics

General Election #15 is around the corner in Malaysia. One recurring debate is about political funding by businesspeople to political parties/personalities.?

There was a recent SCMP (South China Morning Press) article by Wee Kek Koon who reflected why famously rich business personalities liked Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos would be held in contempt in ancient Chinese society.?In the Confucian worldview, businesspeople were placed just above criminals, entertainers and slaves, but below scholar-officials, farmers and artisans.

Wee exemplified Lu Bu Wei (291–235 BEC), a merchant and politician during the Warring States period. Using his wealth to garner political allies, he became a chancellor in the court of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of Qin dynasty. According to a historical account, Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng) was a son of a court dancer - Lady Zhao who became the Queen Dowager after her son ascended the throne. In addition to money, Lu Bu Wei exploited Lady Zhao’s salacious affaires de amour as well.

History repeats itself. Business and politics are intimately intertwined. There have been and will be many more Lu Bu Weis in political arena.?

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