Some Malaysians from low-income families who need any kind of assistance have started waving white flags/clothes as part of the 'White Flag Campaign'.
The colour white has always stood as a symbol of peace, purity or innocence. However, these days the Malaysians are using it to convey the distress and financial crunches they have had to deal with amid the COVID-induced lockdown. Malaysia is one of the countries which is badly hit with the COVID-19 pandemic.
In Malaysia, some residents of low-income families have started waving white flags as part of the 'White Flag Campaign', or the #benderaputi (white flag) movement. This campaign has gained momentum on social media in a bid to encourage people to help others in distress during a prolonged lockdown in Malaysia.
The pandemic has put a particular strain on low-income families, with reports of SSIn response to the white flag campaign, neighbours, businesses, politicians and even celebrities have stepped in to donate.
What is 'White Flag Campaign'
When Malaysian mother Hadijah Neamat was struggling to cope during the coronavirus lockdown, she hung a scrap of white cloth outside her window in a plea for help.
Indeed, shortly after Hadijah, 73, put up the flag a neighbour came by to offer her food and other items.
Hadijah's husband, Mohd Rusni Kahman, 59, has a disability and has not been able to work since losing his job last year.
Families that need any kind of assistance are encouraged to wave a white flag or put a piece of white cloth outside their homes.
As part of the movement that was initiated last week, the white flag or cloth will signal that they need help.
The idea is that by spotting the white flag, neighbours and good samaritans can reach them.
On the Sambal SOS app, people can see the map of Malaysia where active food banks are marked. This is to help people easily track down food banks.
Some fishermen from Penang are also helping out the community by handing over fresh fish to families in need.
But Malaysians are not alone in signalling their distress and food insecurity amid the pandemic through this symbol.
Last year, some Central American countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras used the white flags all over the social terrain.
What is 'Black Flag Movement'
Along with the white flag movement, there is the black flag movement to express dissatisfaction with the Malaysian government.
Through this movement, people are demanding that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resign from his post.
On July 3, a group called Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) urged the public to raise black flags as a sign of protest against the government's management of the pandemic.
The group demanded that Muhyiddin Yassin resign and that the Parliament convene to lift the state of emergency.
On July 4 that the police were investigating the black flag campaign on social media 'for allegedly containing seditious elements'.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "White Flag Campaign in Malaysia")
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}