Bachok MP Nik Abduh Nik Aziz urged those affected to pray instead.

“Raise your hands in prayer to God. That is the flag of strength and optimism in the test of life. Don’t admit defeat when being tested by teaching the people to raise a white flag,” he said in a Facebook post today.

A recent social media campaign called for people to fly a white flag to signal to others that they are in need of immediate assistance, especially in terms of food, as the country remains in lockdown indefinitely.

However, housing and local government minister Zuraida Kamaruddin voiced support for the campaign, contradicting the view of her political ally.

“I am with the white flag campaign to identify those in need of help. There is no need to appeal, no need to feel ashamed. Just wave the flag,” she said in a tweet.

The two Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders’ statements drew various responses from netizens.

On Nik Abduh’s post, Facebook user Amerk Kota said the initiative did not signify defeat, but it was an alternative for those affected to get help from the community with dignity.

“It’s better to help the people instead of issuing statements that fuel our hatred,” said the user.

On Twitter, a user known as Ameel said Zuraida should realise that the people began the white flag movement due to the Cabinet’s failure in distributing aid during the pandemic.

“If you did your job and prioritised the people, all of this wouldn’t have happened. Suddenly, now you’re saying ‘I’m with this campaign,’? Shame on you,” he said.

Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Shazni Munir Mohd Ithnin said the campaign was proof that the people were no longer able to cope with the effects of the pandemic by depending on the government.

He claimed the slow distribution of government aid had only put more stress on the people in terms of the economy and mental health.

“The death rate due to suicide has surged since the implementation of the movement control orders, since last year,” he said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Facebook user Nadzri Sazali praised netizens for coming up with the initiative, saying it would help neighbours identify those who were facing difficulties.

Nadzri said it was difficult for people to discover who needed help in their neighbourhood, as they were not allowed to meet physically.

“Just raise the white flag. Whoever is capable of it, will help.”

Another netizen, Amirul Mukminin, said the campaign showed that the government was no longer the hope of the people.

“It also proves the existence of passive politics among Malaysians, especially the Malays,” he said.