'Master' artifice at work

Although the media have exposed the real activities of "Master" Wang Lin, he still exercises great influence on some celebrities and officials, which demands a serious thought, says an article in Southern Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

Wang's celebrity followers are drawn to him because of his "mysterious" energy, but some corrupt and insecure government officials flock to him for "spiritual" comfort. The "Master" understands the psychology of such officials, who are always afraid of being exposed and arrested. Surprisingly these officials, instead of giving up their corrupt habits, believe that networking and luck will not only save them, but also make them successful.

The social network run by Wang is highly valued by some officials. For example, local officials in Wang's hometown of Pingxiang, Jiangxi province, "worshipped" him because he acted as a middleman to liaise with higher-level officials on their behalf. Wang's network flourished because some officials opted for a shortcut to promotion and success.

The current public discussion is centered on how Wang's network managed to attract officials. The public concern is justified but, apart from taking measures to stop officials from "worshipping" so-called Masters, the authorities should also make efforts to instill the value of honesty and hard work in officials and warn them of the power of law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.