07-04-2021, 02:57 PM
From Wong Ee Lynn
![[Image: Bendera-putih-fb-2.jpg]](https://s3media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Bendera-putih-fb-2.jpg)
The White Flag Campaign currently trending on social media to encourage people who are adversely affected by the movement control order (MCO) and corresponding restrictions on economic activities to seek help should be seen not as a cause of pride, but an indictment of the government of the day for its failure to provide assistance and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.
While we commend the many individuals and businesses that have stepped forward to provide food aid and monetary relief to the less fortunate, we must remember that it is our political leaders’ preoccupation with wresting power from one another, failure to plan ahead and to manage the Covid-19 outbreak, lack of empathy, and culture of impunity that got us to where we are now.
There were 468 suicides in Malaysia in the short period between January and May, 2021. Malaysians, who were optimistic, compliant and cooperative at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, have since found themselves out of savings, lacking a safety net and out of options.
For this reason, the White Flag Campaign cannot be a reason for cheer or pride. Being in a position to alleviate the suffering of others should not be an opportunity for individuals, NGOs, businesses or elected representatives to brag about their generosity.
In an unequal and unjust society, mitigating inequality and injustice is the right thing to do, but is not an alternative for good governance.
- More -
The White Flag Campaign currently trending on social media to encourage people who are adversely affected by the movement control order (MCO) and corresponding restrictions on economic activities to seek help should be seen not as a cause of pride, but an indictment of the government of the day for its failure to provide assistance and support to the most vulnerable members of our community.
While we commend the many individuals and businesses that have stepped forward to provide food aid and monetary relief to the less fortunate, we must remember that it is our political leaders’ preoccupation with wresting power from one another, failure to plan ahead and to manage the Covid-19 outbreak, lack of empathy, and culture of impunity that got us to where we are now.
There were 468 suicides in Malaysia in the short period between January and May, 2021. Malaysians, who were optimistic, compliant and cooperative at the start of the pandemic in March 2020, have since found themselves out of savings, lacking a safety net and out of options.
For this reason, the White Flag Campaign cannot be a reason for cheer or pride. Being in a position to alleviate the suffering of others should not be an opportunity for individuals, NGOs, businesses or elected representatives to brag about their generosity.
In an unequal and unjust society, mitigating inequality and injustice is the right thing to do, but is not an alternative for good governance.
- More -