NIBONG TEBAL – Flying the white flag is not wrong, but asking the people to tear it down is, said social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and the Consumers’ Association of Penang (CAP).
Lee said the white flag indicates that people need help, and only those who are desperate will resort to raising it.
“They do that as they have no choice, (and) so everyone in the area will know that they are seeking help. Otherwise, no one will know that the person needs immediate assistance.
“Imagine what will happen if you go to the Welfare Department for help, it will take weeks for help to come. Will you wait for weeks to get food for the hungry?”
Lee said he supports the idea and it should be continued.
The activist was responding to an earlier report by The Vibes about several impoverished families who put up white flags outside their houses at Transkrian Estate near here.
The villagers found themselves in a tiff with a representative of Sg Acheh assemblyman Zulkifli Ibrahim’s office, who allegedly berated them for doing so.
Penang Deputy Chief Minister II P. Ramasamy, who is also Prai assemblyman, said some 40 families have raised white flags at their houses to draw the attention of Zulkifli, who is the local legislative rep, and the public.
He said they resorted to such a move as they are unable to face financial difficulties arising from the lockdown.
Instead, the representative showed up to chide the families, he alleged.
Ramasamy’s own team distributed food baskets to the 40 families later in the day.
Several attempts to reach Zulkifli and Nibong Tebal MP Datuk Mansor Othman for comments have failed, so far.
CAP in a statement said it sees the white flag as an honest way of communication.
Its education officer, N.V. Subbarow, said people who raise the flag “are genuine and in dire need of help”.
“They are honest and sincere in raising the white flag as the prolonged movement control order (MCO) has caused them financial difficulties. They still need to feed their families.”
He said the leaders should respect their honesty and not abuse them as they are poor and helpless.
“To my knowledge, they have at least eight people in the family, with two grandparents, a husband, a wife and at least 4 children.
“These families cannot even afford to buy roti canai for a meal.”
Subbarow said it is the duty of elected representatives to help the poor and less fortunate, including by rendering help at their doorsteps when they are unable to get to the service centres.
“MPs and assemblymen are given funds to help these people. The food basket allocation is for the people, not for political parties and their representatives.”
CAP’s advice is for the people to not waste money buying alcohol and cigarettes during the MCO as statistics show that large amounts of money are being spent on these items, he added. – The Vibes, July 4, 2021
