NOT every white flag is a cry for food, as there are other forms of help people need, Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and a residents association said.

They told The Malaysian Insight they had come across several white flags in Lembah Pantai, including the affluent Bangsar area, but not all were seeking food aid.

A lot of them are senior citizens who have various needs, including help to register on the MySejahtera app and going out to buy groceries.

Last week, Fahmi raised eyebrows when he posted on Twitter a white flag that was spotted in Lucky Gardens, Bangsar.

“A lot of people think all Bangsar folks are well off. The ‘Bangsar bubble’ tag is a disservice to many elderly here who are surviving on meagre pensions.

“No shame in hoisting (white flag). Hang in there, Uncle S, we’re here for you,” he said in a tweet after attending to the senior citizen.

Fahmi explained Uncle S’s situation.

“The reason uncle S put up the white flag is because he doesn’t have access to technology, is elderly, lives alone and is afraid to go out (high number of cases).

“Even to get registered on MySejahtera, his neighbour had to help him out. The elderly do need help.

“It is a different kind for help. The whole white flag phenomenon has shown vulnerabilities in our society.

“Every white flag has a story and not necessarily all need food aid. There are some that need other assistance and we need to listen to their stories,” he said.

Fahmi said not everyone who needs assistance is putting up white flags as most of them want to remain discreet.

These are families living in a community who need milk, diapers, groceries and other stuff.

Lucky Garden Residents Association president Ahmad Nordeen Salleh said mostly those who are living in the area are senior citizens.

He said they are not affected that badly but are afraid to go out due to a high number of cases.

“There could be some that can’t go out because they are afraid and need help to buy food. There are too many people around the Bangsar area.

“There are also those who have health issues and fear going out.”

He also said that some of the residents are living alone and the residents association was ever willing to help and had engaged those who had approached it for assistance.

Last month, social media users urged those who need help during the lockdown to raise a white flag outside their homes, and others to provide assistance when they see these flags.

These messages were posted on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtags #RakyatJagaRakyat and #BenderaPutih, in a sign of a deepening anger towards the government, which just extended the movement-control order indefinitely.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said there is no need for anyone to fly a white flag for help because the government is providing aid to target groups.

“There is no need to hang a white or black flag, but it’s okay to hang a blue flag,” Muhyiddin said, referring to the Perikatan Nasional colour, which is blue. – July 20, 2021.