The mode of travel may be different from a century ago but the geography remains. It is still a desert, albeit one blessed with many natural resources, especially here in Saudi Arabia.
Some have called the natural resources a curse rather than a blessing because it enfeebled rather than enabled the most important resources of all in any country: its people.
When God, through Moses, led the people to the Promised Land, its interesting that he put them through 40 years of hardship and then led them into a land that actually have limited resources. Instead, the people had to rely on their own ingenuity to overcome the environmental drawbacks. It is no wonder that after millenia of such reprogramming, Jews went on to master many aspects of knowledge: Einstein, Spielberg, Streisand etc.
In three of my meetings here today, I was accompanied by a talented young principal, A and in running between meetings we walked past a prayer room. He commented in passing that, when all else fails (with respect to the high ambitions we have shaped with the clients), they can always go to that. I replied that I too believe in God but I also think God wants us to apply ourselves. God gives a destination and a road map but we have to undertake the journey ourselves. This "God willing" mentality is incredibly hope and life sustaining when faced with incredible odds where divine intervention is required but it cannot be the go-to for every situation.
God gave us a destination (heaven), a navigation guide (bible) and also free will as traveller in this life on Earth.
There was this line in the movie Lawrence of Arabia where one of the men in his troop had fallen off his camel on their way from Wadi Sarfa to Aqaba. They travelled via land through the Nefud desert (considered impassable even by the Bedouins) to Wadi Rum where he raised a larger army to surprise the Turks who were attacking them and expecting them from the sea. Lawrence acted without orders and this strategy was therefore not recorded in the British Empire's playbook and came back to haunt them in their defence of Malaya and Singapore a few decades later when their guns were also all pointed out at sea.
Lawrence and his men have to make the crossing in 20 days or else the camels who will not drink will die of thirst and so will the men. So, there was no time to lose and Lawrence's counterpart did not want to turn around to get the man who fell. Lawrence did so while the troop was resting for the day and brought the man safely back. He then said this, "it is not written".
It is very much with this philosophy in mind that I share my advice with the public sector officials here esp pertaining to human capital development where its not just about the quality of teaching but also the inculcating of desire, drive and detail. And not losing the sense of cohesion, now that's nation building at its best.
That's what countries like Indonesia, Qatar and Saudi Arabia whom I have visited on this trip are doing. Some of them suffer from a culture of complacency and conservatism that they almost have to unlearn their recent past in order to move forward again. I am confident they can move forward they shall as Lenin once described, "There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen"
And some of the changes they make are "genie out of a bottle" nature where you cannot put the genie back. Society is transformed. Like this video clip of an acoustic band playing in the terrace of a hotel in Riyadh right next to a bar serving cocktails (non alcoholic, of course). It wasn't so long ago when one couldn't get a tourist visa into this country, where women can't drive, and where music cannot be played.
Very few countries in history have achieved this. Singapore is one shining example. In 50 years, it went from one of the poorest countries (in nominal GDP / capita terms) to richest in the world. It is no wonder that ambitious leaders in the middle east look to this little island state in the far east for inspiration and exemplars. And I guess having a leader who will readily take anyone to task is one way, albeit frightening, to ensure results are attained. That is certainly the case in this country and coincidentally it reminded me of an LKY quote, “Between being loved and being feared, I have always believed Machiavelli was right. If nobody is afraid of me, I’m meaningless.”
There is however a time and place for everything, as the good book of Ecclesiastes remind us. In today's society, fear may not necessarily breed obedience and love may not necessarily equate to weakness. The right leaders knows that style is situational,and in fact should be changed constantly. Only the outcome, that of uplifting the potential and spirit of the people is immutable. That both my children, and N as well, are working for the state or state-linked companies really make me proud. Their jobs matter. Hopefully, they will keep Singapore strong and safe and connected as one of the most important capitals of the world on this modern silk route.
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