I read with interest Sim Kwang Yang's column . Too many Asians with power try to adopt Confucius as their guiding figurehead.

They try to justify many horrible 'Asian values' like "respect for leaders" and authoritarian rule, using Confucius' name.

Businessmen try to cut union power by invoking Confucius' supposed "respect for leaders".

Politicians try to suppress civil liberties and detain citizens without trial by invoking his "respect for leaders".

In reality, Confucius would be horrified that his name is being used to justify repression and coercion. He was in reality a democrat of his time, who said that one had to rebel against tyrants to put things right.

While he was a staunch upholder of a child's filial piety, he did not justify unconditional respect for authority and hierarchy.

He was also against torture and brutality by people with power, be they businessmen or politicians. If there was any Asian leader showing Confucian values, Dr Sun Yat Sen was one of them. Those alive today are Lim Kit Siang and Lim Guan Eng, whatever their shortcomings.

Leaders with power such as Ong Ka Ting, Chan Kong Choy, Lim Keng Yaik and Koh Tsu Koon are hardly Confucianists in the true sense of the word. Confucianists do not shy away from speaking up against repression and pro-business policies that pamper business owners at the expense of workers.