Malaysians start #benderaputih movement to signal distress

Malaysians have come up with the #benderaputih (white flag) movement for those in dire need of food and essentials to indicate this to neighbors without needing to beg for help.

The movement suggested that those who desperately needed assistance fly a white flag or cloth outside their homes, which would let those able to help know which households could be facing extreme difficulties.

Related Posts

 “Raise a white flag at your home if you need help with food and essentials. Do not take action that will hurt you and your loved ones.

“Avoid stress. No need to beg or humiliate (yourselves). Just fly a white flag. Please let there be those who will help,” said one poster promoting the #benderaputih movement.

“Kepada semua yang susah dan tiada makanan, naikkan bendera putih di kediaman anda.Biar orang sekeliling pakat bantu sedikit sebanyak yang termampu. Tolong jangan ambil tindakan yang meremukkan hati orang yang tersayang. Tak perlu merayu, tak perlu  malu. Kibar saja bendera.”

Malaysians online have slowly begun adopting the movement and spreading it, with some describing the initiative as “heartwarming” and timely.

Others emphasised that waving a white flag should not be interpreted in its traditional sense of indicating defeat or surrender, but to view it purely as a means to signal their need for support.

Across the world, flags have traditionally been used to signal distress, such as by tying them in a knot or by flying them inverted.

The initiative appeared to be the latest incarnation of the #kitajagakita (we’ll take care of each other) movement that took root briefly at the start of the pandemic last year, but which was later abandoned when it was co-opted by the government.

Malaysia has been in Phase One of the National Recovery Plan in which only approved essential services may operate. This was initially meant to last two weeks but was now set to go on for at least six weeks or until daily Covid-19 cases dip below 4,000.

Katherine S

1/4 German, 3/4 Malaysian. I write, follow and monitor closely political news happening in Malaysia, and other happening news in the ASEAN region. Newswriter for the best ASEAN news website - The Asian Affairs.

Recent Posts

Vietnam International Defense Expo 2024

The 2024 Vietnam International Defense Expo was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 19, 2024 and…

December 22, 2024

Shooting concludes: Stranger Things 5 to release on Netflix in 2025

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi horror series globally. It is set…

December 21, 2024

China’s Hypersonic Expansion in Asia Raises Alarms for India

According to the US Department of Defense, China has now produced the most sophisticated supply of hypersonic weapons in the…

December 21, 2024

Melaka International Halal Festival 2024

The Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 aims to turn the city as the prime center of the Halal products and…

December 21, 2024

Chunichi Dragons Renews the Contract of Hiroto Takahashi with Annual Salary of 120 million yen

On Saturday, the stalwart of Chunichi Dragons Pitcher, Hiroto Takahashi attended the negotiation for his contract renewal for the next…

December 21, 2024

Biden-Harris administration cancels another $4.28 billion in US student loans

US President Joe Biden has cancelled another $4.28 billion in student loans for nearly 55,000 people across the country, the…

December 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More