KUANTAN: Police have denied allegations that they threatened several families, who raised the white flag for help, at Bukit Setongkol near here on Wednesday.
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State police chief Datuk Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf said policemen who went to the housing area had only instructed the villagers to bring down the flag which was hoisted on an electricity pole.
“Policemen did not threaten anyone and as mentioned earlier, some individuals put up the flag on the electricity pole. It is improper to put up the flags on utility poles.
“The police have no problems with those who want to raise the white flags as there is no law or standard operating procedures saying such an act is wrong. Maybe the advice from the police was wrongly interpreted,” he said in a statement.
Ramli said police will not take any action against individuals if the white flags were put up at suitable areas unless it blocks the traffic or placed on public amenities.
Meanwhile, Teruntum assemblyman Sim Chong Siang said the affected villagers will lodge a police report at the district police station later today.
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It was reported that 13 families, who had lost their source of income due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) had put up a white curtain cloth at the entrance to their settlement for help on Tuesday.
However, they were surprised when an individual turned up at the settlement on Wednesday and told them to bring the flag down.
When they refused, the man allegedly returned with a few policemen and the residents were told to adhere to the order or face fines.
Over the past few days, Malaysians initiated a social media campaign named the #benderaputih movement, calling those in need of food or essentials to raise a white flag outside their homes.
Doing so indicates that the household needs assistance, allowing neighbours and well-wishers to render necessary aid to them.-NST