Dear Malaysian Members of Parliament,
Peace,
Re: PLEASE DO NOT SUCCUMB TO CRAB MENTALITY
As we look forward to the reopening of the parliament, I
have a huge request to ask of you. I believe I represent the thoughts, feelings
and hopes of many Malaysians especially those not aligned to any political
party or coalition.
I understand and respect that as politicians, getting or
keeping power is key. Good citizens go into politics to gain power so they can
do good and care for the rakyat. It is a very noble act. However, may I
humbly suggest that for the time being, you skip the first part about power and
go straight to doing good and caring for the rakyat.
How?
1. AVOID THE CRAB MENTALITY.
To understand the Crab Mentality, one first need to get familiar with the Crab Theory or better known as the "crabs in a bucket phenomenon”. When you place crabs in a bucket or container, even if one can escape, it would not be able to because the other crabs will pull down the one trying.
This behaviour makes sure that no matter how hard anyone of them works and tries – none will be successful. That is the reason why a fisherman can leave the bucket without a cover and without worry as every time one crab tries to escape, the others will go out of their way to drag it back down.
This zero-sum game of “if I can’t have it, neither can you” ensures nobody can lead effectively, and the rakyat suffer.
2. WORK AS A TEAM
We need you to come together to fight COVID-19, build back the economy and relaunch Malaysia as a country of choice for business, travel, education and a wonderful place to live in.
We do not want you to get back into parliament to FIGHT EACH OTHER.
In the best possible way, we want you to use your talent, expertise, energy, spirit, organization and network to facilitate the vaccination of all eligible Malaysians and our brother- and sister-foreigners who make a living in our country. Each of you ensuring success within your own area of influence, location and network.
We
are willing to wait till the next general election for the power struggle. At
this point in time, whether we have the same team leading the nation or we
change them with a new one is secondary to the need for a change in leadership
behaviour.
3. DO NOT
FORCE A GENERAL ELECTION
Even if we achieve one hundred
percent vaccination, I plead that we delay the general elections for as long as
possible. Dealing and fighting Covid-19 is a work-in-progress. We do not know
how the virus will mutate and fight back. Let us not celebrate too soon like we
did after MCO 1. Let us wait it out for a while. Let us be sure. Give it time. Remember
the Sabah state election. Let us learn from that mistake and experience.
As it seems that no political leader and his coalition can
command a convincing majority in parliament today, any change will bring us
back to square one – instability. Let us be honest and be in touch with
ourselves. We are a nation that is yet to be mature enough to respect a
minority government. We are prone to political crabbing and frogging. We will
likely mess it up.
Let us stop, reflect and find new or alternative choices.
At least till we are safe from COVID-19 and our economy is back on track. Perhaps
we can try the Team Leadership approach be it via a MAGERAN-like option, UNITY
GOVERNMENT or any other platform.
I hope you will take my request seriously. I feel that it is the best for the nation. It is also in line with the spirit of the YDP Agong’s recent decree. Last but not least, please try hard not to succumb to the CRAB MENTALITY and as you walk into parliament keep in heart the fifth principle of our Rukun Negara - KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN.
Thank you.
Peace,
Anas Zubedy
Kuala Lumpur
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