“It is better to lose than to cheat.”
The recent FIFA–FAM scandal is not just about football — it mirrors
something much deeper within us: our national psyche. If we do not reflect and
act on it, this pattern may lead us toward greater failures and even
catastrophe.
As a nation, we have developed certain bad habits. These habits have been
passed down from generation to generation, quietly shaping the way we think,
work, and respond to challenges. Today, they have become strongholds of a
negative culture — a Bad Kitaran that repeats itself across our
institutions, communities, and hearts.
In this article, let us pause and ask ourselves a few honest questions.
The answers may reveal why this scandal happened — and why similar ones keep
happening. Have we failed to see that it is better to lose than to cheat? Have
we lost our pride in growing and developing our own abilities, choosing instead
to cheat to win? Are we so poorly in touch with our inner self that we can no
longer be honest with ourselves first?
Our Negative Kitaran
What is a KITARAN?
A Kitaran, or “cycle,” refers to a repeating chain of events or
behaviours that reinforce themselves over time, creating a loop. These loops
exist in every organisation and community. Sometimes they drive improvement and
innovation — a Positive Kitaran. But at other times, they lead to
decline and decay — a Negative Kitaran.
What makes these cycles so powerful, and at times so dangerous, is that
they often go unnoticed. Because we operate within familiar routines, we may
not realise when we are trapped in a loop, repeating actions and decisions that
no longer serve us. We tell ourselves that “this is how it’s always been done.”
Over time, this habit becomes an invisible prison that limits our growth and
blinds us to new possibilities.
The FIFA–FAM scandal is a painful but clear example of how our Negative
Kitaran operates. It exposes the cultural and psychological habits that
quietly drive us to repeat the same mistakes — not only in sports, but across
many aspects of Malaysian life.
The Psychology Behind Our Negative Kitaran
At the root of our Bad Kitaran lies our high power distance. We
have been conditioned to respect titles more than truth. We fear questioning
those in authority, even when something is clearly wrong. From young, we are
taught to obey rather than to think, to follow rather than to question. Over
time, this deference becomes cultural — we keep quiet even when our conscience
stirs. As a result, mistakes go uncorrected, and those in power rarely hear the
truth they need to hear.
This fear of challenging authority is closely tied to our avoidance of
conflict. We prefer peace on the surface to honesty in the heart. We choose
comfort over correction, harmony over hard truth. But this false calm hides
dysfunction. It allows rot to spread quietly beneath polite smiles.
Then there is our love for shortcuts. We chase quick wins rather than
long-term strength. We want to look successful more than we want to be strong.
We justify wrongs by calling them “technical” or “misunderstanding.” Over time,
we lose the ability to distinguish right from wrong.
Because we rarely hold anyone accountable, blame becomes scattered.
Everyone shares a little fault, so no one bears responsibility. We become
reactive, only fixing problems when they explode — and when they do, we treat
them as drama instead of lessons. Each new leader repeats old mistakes,
convinced the problem began yesterday.
As this continues, public cynicism grows. When truth rarely wins, people
stop believing it matters. We become comfortable in our silence, telling
ourselves that nothing will change anyway. Deep inside, many of us also avoid
facing our own flaws. We deny, deflect, or distract instead of reflecting. And
when someone gives us feedback, we take it personally, turning it into issues
of race, religion, or politics. This inability to handle truth — from others or
from within — keeps us trapped in the same emotional loop as a nation.
What Can We Do?
We need to work on a few habits that create a Positive Kitaran.
Building the Positive Kitaran
A healthy nation begins where its people are willing to lose with
integrity rather than win with deceit. When we are prepared to say, “I would
rather fail honestly than succeed dishonestly,” we reclaim our moral
centre. Winning through cheating destroys not only credibility but also the
soul of the game — and the soul of the country. True strength is not measured
by the scoreline, but by the honesty of the effort. When we can lose with dignity,
we create a foundation for real growth and lasting respect.
We must also rebuild our sense of pride. Real pride does not come from
trophies, rankings, or titles; it comes from steady growth — from developing
our own skills, systems, and souls. When we cheat to look good, we remain
small. But when we grow through patience and integrity, we become strong.
Progress achieved honestly may take longer, but it lasts longer. Whether in
football, business, or governance, growth through genuine effort is the only
victory that truly matters.
The Good Kitaran begins within each of us. We cannot build honest
systems if we are dishonest within ourselves. Being in touch with the self
means having the courage to face our flaws without excuse or denial. Before we
point fingers, we must ask, “What part of this problem lives in me?” A
nation improves when its people are brave enough to look inward. When
individuals become truthful with themselves, institutions naturally heal and
strengthen.
To build a healthier culture, we must also stop the habit of blaming and
deflecting whenever we are caught in mistakes or wrongdoing. The mature
response to error is not denial or distraction — it is ownership. Taking
responsibility is not a sign of weakness; it is the highest expression of
strength. When we admit our faults, we learn, grow, and restore trust. When we
deflect, we remain trapped in the same old cycle of shame and cover-ups. A Good
Kitaran can only thrive when honesty replaces blame, and humility replaces
ego.
In the Good Kitaran, truth stands above title. The moment we start
believing that position determines right and wrong, we lose our moral balance.
We must relearn to respect truth more than hierarchy. A junior who speaks
honestly is worth more than a senior who hides the truth. A great nation is not
one where leaders stand tallest, but one where everyone bows to the truth. When
truth is above power, leaders become servants — and servants become the
guardians of integrity.
Finally, we must train ourselves to listen to truth, not to who is saying
it. Too often, in the old Bad Kitaran, we ask, “Who said it?”
before deciding whether to listen. In the Good Kitaran, we ask, “Is
it true?” When truth becomes our guide — not race, not religion, not rank —
unity and wisdom follow naturally. The ability to accept truth even from those
we dislike, and to reject falsehood even from those we admire, is emotional
maturity at the societal level. It is the foundation of justice, fairness, and
trust — the true marks of a healthy Malaysia.
Who Must Take the First Step?
All of us. No matter who we are — from national and state leaders to the rakyat
jelata. Every time, all the time. Responsibility is not a burden reserved
for others; it begins with each of us.
As for the FAM–FIFA issue, what would be exemplary is if Sports Minister
Hannah Yeoh were to say, “As Minister, I take responsibility for ensuring
this never happens again.” That single act of ownership would set the tone
for the entire system. Instead, she has treated the scandal as a wake-up call
for FAM alone, rather than for Malaysian sports governance as a whole. That
subtle distinction matters — it keeps the ministry safe, but the system
unchanged.
Hannah should be careful. More and more, DAP ministers and leaders are
being seen as “Tai Chi Masters” — appearing on the ground, deflecting
and blaming others instead of taking responsibility. Such behaviour mirrors the
very Negative Kitaran we are trying to break.
I sincerely hope she will come forward with a stronger statement — one
that acknowledges the ministry’s shared responsibility, apologises for failing
to keep proper oversight, and commits to building a new Good Kitaran
within her ministry. That would be true leadership: humble, accountable, and
transformative.
Maju Sukan Untuk Negara
Peace,
Anas Zubedy
Penang
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