LETTER | It has been well over a year since the first movement control order (MCO) was initiated by the Perikatan Nasional government to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. Not it has just passed six months since MCO 2.0 was enforced in January this year.

While Malaysia may not be the only country affected by the virus that has plagued the world, the government’s response in managing the crisis does not sit well with the people. 

Despite federal and state governments’ initiatives in introducing multiple aid packages, much of the aid was not reaching those who needed it, and many are still feeling the pinch.

A year on, nothing much seems to have changed. 

It has been lockdown after lockdown, schools closing and opening, businesses shuttered, Covid-19 cases rising, and vaccinations slow to start. The situation seems bleaker than ever, at least for the everyday Malaysians.

But if the power of the people is anything to go by, Malaysians should be mighty proud when they take it upon themselves to help each other out. 

The social movement of #benderaputih (white flag), intended to help families facing hunger or needing assistance, went viral. It was a demonstration of the people’s lack of trust in the government and a continuation of #kitajagakita (we look after each other), a campaign that spawned from the first MCO.

In no time at all since the campaign made waves, white flags were spotted just about everywhere around the country. People of different social statuses humbly waved their white flags outside of their homes to signal the need for assistance.

While the reason for the need behind the white flag is a sad one, the humanity and the kindness that came out of it is truly Malaysian.

The other flag

Following the success of the white flag campaign soon after was the birth of #benderahitam (black flag). A movement calling for social media users to display a black flag on multiple platforms to demonstrate solidarity against poor governance in handling the Covid-19 crisis.

The campaign pushed for the three demands – the resignation of Prime Minister Mahiaddin Yassin, for Parliament to reconvene immediately, and the state of emergency to end.

With daily covid cases exceeding the 6,000-mark, people were getting frustrated, and #benderahitam gained momentum online, specifically on Twitter, and even went offline for a day. Supporters of the movement flew black flags outside of their lockdown homes in protest of the PN government.

While Malaysians were hoping for a better outcome since then, the reality shows otherwise. 

Cases continue to soar daily, hospitals are full to the brim, death rates are on the rise, and people suffer to make ends meet.

In another turn of events, parliament reconvened after seven months for a five-day special parliamentary meeting only for it to be postponed indefinitely, after only three days in session. 

Issues regarding the annulment of the emergency ordinances, PM’s insistence in answering questions by lawmakers, as well as the King’s response to the status of ordinances related to the state of emergency, brought pandemonium to the house and with it, a suspension of parliament due to a detection of several staff members infected with Covid-19.

This not only caused an uproar in the house but also angered people, which led to the #turundanlawan movement – an assembly of frustrated citizens marching towards ‘Dataran Merdeka’ in protest of the failure of the PN government.

Trending Protest

While a rally or an assembly is the most preferred choice in displaying solidarity against an issue, the fact of the matter is, online protests are just as effective. The new-normal means social distancing and online interactions have become a part of life. 

Not taking our ‘fight’ to the street does not mean our voices are silent. Now, with the internet and social media, our voice and message are reaching more people quicker than ever.

That was the intention of #benderahitam – a campaign that was trending on Twitter and went viral across the country. The movement started on Twitter, but to further display solidarity towards the cause, supporters were asked to hang a black flag outside of their homes. 

So, on July 3, black flags were seen waving outside of homes all over Malaysia, and images of the protest were captured and shared all over social media platforms – Twitter and Instagram in an instant.

It demonstrates a new way of protesting which Malaysians have come to embrace. The Black Flag movement gained widespread support, and within the boundaries of the MCO and, without putting people at risk of Covid-19, the campaign made its mark by sending a message to the government, right from within people’s homes.

With recent events unfolding on the political front and with no end to the Covid-19 crisis in sight, many more are taking their grievances and frustrations to social media, while some even wanting to take it to the street. 

The #benderahitam movement brought people together without any physical contact or interactions, a feat to be proud of, so let us be reminded of the message we sent and the solidarity we achieved even in the confinement of our own homes.

Should you ever feel alone in your fight for a better Malaysia, scroll through #Benderahitam and see others fighting the same fight. It shall continue to be the voice of the people.

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice then you have chosen the side of the oppressor” –South African human rights activist, Desmond Tutu

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.