There are a lot more angry and grumpy Malaysians in the past few months than when the pandemic broke out in March last year.
Many Malaysians have voiced their frustrations over how the National Security Council (NSC) tightened Movement Control Order (MCO) restrictions and wondered whether the Enhanced MCO in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur would be any different.
They ranted about how the MCO is being managed, claiming that there are too many "flip flops" in measures taken by the NSC.
Ordinary Malaysians, including those working in non-essential sectors and services, are angry and confused over why they are being restricted and not allowed to do business when the high numbers of new Covid-19 cases come from the manufacturing sector.
Many also voiced frustration over the Covid-19 National Immunisation Programme moving at a snail's pace, even after the government opened up mega vaccination centres all over the country since last month.
What irks the most is the fact that some politicians have been throwing their weight around, refusing to recognise the white flag movement (#benderaputih) that began on June 28 and has been lauded and supported by Malaysians.
Even celebrities like standup comedian Harith Iskander have joined in through his The Hope organisation alongside scores of non-governmental organisations to help the needy at this crucial juncture.
The campaign shows the growing desperation and the dire straits Malaysians are in as many struggle to put food on the table amid an indefinite lockdown that has resulted in job losses and slashed income.
The movement asks those who need assistance to fly a white flag or cloth outside their home, which will let those who are able to help know which households are facing extreme difficulties.
Many have fallen into the abyss of hardship under the lockdown. The full lockdown, which was imposed on June 1, extended until June 28 and extended for two weeks again for some areas in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, will not be lifted until daily new Covid-19 cases fall below 4,000. Daily new cases have persistently exceeded 5,000 recently.
Netizens were especially irked when the head of a state up north said his state would not support people who needed food assistance if they hoisted a white flag. He said the state government
did not recognise the use of white flags as it saw the movement as political propaganda.
What political propaganda, if I may ask? He repeatedly insisted that the white flag movement made the government look like it had failed to provide food baskets to those affected by the pandemic. To this, I ask — why couldn't state agencies identify the needy faster?
Is it so hard for him to comprehend that this campaign aims to help those in dire and immediate need of food and essentials?
The campaign should be seen as complementing the government's efforts while the rakyat wait for food baskets from state disaster operations control centres or their member of parliament.
MPs from both sides of the political divide would each receive an additional RM300,000 for food baskets under Pakej Perlindungan Rakyat dan Pemulihan Ekonomi or Pemulih.
I truly believe that there's no ulterior motive behind the campaign. The movement was initiated with good intentions — for the people, by the people.
Yes, Malaysians are an angry lot and they are getting angrier. They're enraged by an east coast politician who displayed insensitivity when he implied that the white flag campaign was for weak people with a defeatist attitude.
He reportedly belittled the campaign, saying that those hit hard by the pandemic should pray to God rather than admit defeat when being tested.
Maybe he has lost touch with the people and is unable to understand the hardships faced by the rakyat. The white flag campaign is a noble community effort to provide food assistance to the needy. It's just that.
In Islam, we are always reminded to embrace husnozhon, or to have positive assumptions about others' intentions. Husnozhon cleanses and purifies the heart from ill will and bad intentions.
In Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12 says: "O you who have believed, avoid (negative) assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other."
The writer, a former NST journalist, is a film scriptwriter whose penchant is finding new food haunts