By Prof P Ramasamy
YESTERDAY, unable to face difficulties arising from the lockdown, the 40 families in Ladang Transkrian, Nibong Tebal, raised white flags in their respective homes to draw attention of the local state assemblyman, Zulkifli Ibrahim and the public.
Zulkifli, who recently defected from PKR to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) was so annoyed that he turned up to scold the families, but he was told to leave the estate.
As it is, the unimaginative and over centralised nature of the lockdown imposition have made life difficult for the working families throughout the country.
People are without jobs, no income and have nowhere to turn to.
Raising white flag has become the last resort to draw public attention so that they can get the needed assistance.
Yet there are several who are unthinking, uncaring and insensitive politicians from the Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) coalition who are trying their very best through threats and intimidation to stop the white flag initiative.
For instance, the Kedah Menteri Besar openly displayed his hostility towards the white flag campaign, calling it an anti-Government propaganda.
Time to reflect on yourselves, Perikatan
Some Perikatan politicians, lacking the necessary credentials, simply sought to ride the white flag bandwagon.
As COVID-19 takes a ferocious direction, the Government has merely succeeded in vaccinating less than 10% of the population, to date.
So how is the population going to attain herd immunity soon can be anybody’s guess.
Meanwhile, ordinary people, members of the working-class families and other subaltern sections of the population are increasingly turning their attention to seek assistance from the public.
Little hope is placed in the Government of the day. The Government that came to power through an illegal putsch has lost all authority and legitimacy in public’s eyes.
Even the Hobbesian notion of power ceded cannot be taken back from the Leviathan, inapplicable to the Perikatan Government.
The white flag initiative might gain momentum, with the possibility of dovetailing into a large-scale movement having serious political implications.
The initiative symbolises the Government’s failure in managing and controlling the pandemic.
It also reflects the confidence and trust ordinary people have on the public, civil society organisations, charity groups and caring individuals living amongst us.
The economic, social and political circumstances might have the potential to change the colour of the flag. The ball is in the Government’s court now! – July 4, 2021.
Prof P Ramasamy is the Penang deputy chief minister and Perai state assemblyman.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Photo credit: NST
