KUANTAN: Several families, who were running out of food supplies in Bukit Setongkol near here, raised the white flag on Tuesday hoping for help to come their way.
However, they were surprised when an individual turned up at the settlement yesterday evening and told them to bring the flag down.
When they refused, the man allegedly returned with a few policemen.
The 13 families, mostly petty traders and labourers who earned daily wages, had lost their source of income due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) and decided to put up a white curtain cloth at the entrance to their settlement for help.
One of the residents, who only wished to be identified as Ana, 43, said when the man turned up at about 4pm yesterday, they assumed he was bringing them some "good news".
Instead, the man demanded that the residents take down the flag.
"He was not happy with our action (in raising the flag) and told us to bring it down. He described it as a shameful act.
"Why do we need to be ashamed? We have lost our income and are running low in food supplies."
Ana said the man left and returned 30 minutes later with several policemen.
"They told us to remove the flag or face a compound if we choose to remain stubborn.
"We are not allowed to raise the flag or seek any help so what are we supposed to do?," asked Ana, who sells goreng pisang near the Bukit Setongkol main road here.
It is learnt that Teruntum assemblyman Sim Chong Siang, along with staff from the Indera Mahkota member of parliament's office had provided some aid to the villagers this afternoon.
Sim said the villagers required help and it was not appropriate to tell them to bring down the white flag.
"If the allegations are true, then the authorities will have to explain as raising the white flag is not a problem in other places. The 'raise the white flag campaign' is an effort to help those who desperately need food.
"The individual who told the residents to bring down the flag is supposed to check on them and provide immediate help, not threaten to take legal action," he said.
Meanwhile, district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Noor Yusof Ali said the involved parties can lodge a police report so the authorities can investigate the matter.
Over the past few days, Malaysians have initiated a social media campaign named the #benderaputih movement, calling those in need of food or essentials to raise a white flag outside their homes.
Doing so indicates that the household needs assistance, allowing neighbours and well-wishers to render necessary aid to them.