PETALING JAYA: A new campaign that’s gaining traction calls for people to reach out for help if they are struggling instead of taking drastic actions.
The campaign, which was launched on social media recently, said people should send out a “white flag” to indicate they need assistance, especially in terms of necessities, as the country remains in lockdown indefinitely.
“Raise the white flag if you need help, there is no need to beg or feel ashamed.
“Don’t take actions that may harm yourself and your loved ones.”
The campaign has been widely received by netizens, who are offering moral support and assistance to those whose incomes have been affected during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Let the people around the area help as little as they can. Please do not take actions that break the hearts of loved ones. There is no need to beg or be embarrassed. Just wave the flag,” said Twitter user Hafizol Hakami.
Another Twitter user, Akmal Masduki, urged those who need help to fly white flags so as to draw their neighbours’ attention to their predicament.
“It is very sinful if we do not ask about the welfare and well-being of our neighbours because neighbours are also family. Fly the white flag so we know. Fly it so we can help,” he said.
Meanwhile, former health minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, also shared on his Facebook page the provision of assistance to individuals who have flown white flags in his state constituency of Kota Iskandar.
“As soon as we got the news that there was a Kota Iskandar resident waving a white flag, the Taman Pulai Indah Amanah branch chief Azam Mekhtar immediately went to their home to offer financial assistance,” he said.
“I immediately instructed the Kota Iskandar DUN service centre officer, Ustaz Muhammad Syafiq to go to the house and hand over a basket of food and cash.
“Hopefully, the family (recipient) can get through these difficult times with patience,” he said.
The current lockdown, which is also known as MCO 3.0, came into effect on June 1 for two weeks before being extended for another two weeks until June 28.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced that the lockdown would be extended until the number of daily infections drops below 4,000.-FMT