MALAYSIANS anger towards Putrajaya was palpable as many joined a peaceful protest online demanding that Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin resign, for Parliament to convene and for the emergency to end, by flying black flags at their homes.

The #BenderaHitam movement was started by Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat (SSR) who urged Malaysians to fly black flags as a show of protest towards the Perikatan National (PN) government.

Despite a warning from Bukit Aman’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) director Abd Jalil Hassan that those who take part in the protest may be investigated under the Sedition Act, Penal Code and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, on Twitter, Malaysians found creative ways to show their protest with many using black rubbish bags, T-shirts and headscarves.

The hashtags #BenderaHitam, #Lawan and #MuhyiddinLetakJawatan are currently trending on Twitter. #BenderaHitam has garnered 31,900 tweets, #Lawan 125,000 tweets and #MuhyiddinLetakJawatan 6,290 tweet.

Twitter user W (@waniy_sd) wrote: I’m doing my small part in this solidarity. I’m tired… We are tired of this gov! #Lawan #BenderaHitam #MuhyiddinLetakJawatan

Another user wrote that while she was afraid to publicly show her support for the movement, she was more afraid of the PN government.

“In solidarity with #LAWAN #BenderaHitam. Wearing all black today featuring my black bawal and batang mop. I’m afraid of doing this, but I’m more afraid with the current government and with my future. #HakBersuaraHakKami #Tuntut3Perkara,” fiena san (@ss_macchiatae) wrote on Twitter.

Others said that while diplomacy was always the best way, they could no longer keep silent on PN’s failures.

“I always opt for diplomacy, negotiation and peaceful ways in handling conflicts.

“After all the damages been done by this unchosen government (sic), I’m no longer think that’s the best way to raise my voice. The only choice for now, raise the #BenderaHitam & #Lawan,” Raja Nur Hanisah (@rnurhanisah_) tweeted.

Opposition lawmakers also took part in their protest by tweeting pictures of black flags and changing their profile pictures to black and white.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim also joined the online protest by tweeting an emoji of three black flags.

Similarly, Muda founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also tweeted an emoji of three black flags with the #Lawan hashtag. The Muar lawmakers also changed his profile picture to black and white.

Former education minister Maszlee Malik tweeted: “The people have spoken!”, followed by an emoji of three black flags.

Over the past week, Malaysians have participated in several other movements.

A social media campaign called the white flag movement started on Monday, June 28, to help Malaysians who need financial or food aid.

It asked that those who are in dire need to fly a white flag outside their home as a signal to others so they may receive aid.

Meanwhile, the Code Black movement was launched by a medical group as a sign of protest against what it sees as an unfair contract medical officer (MO) system. – July 3, 2021.