According to Tian Chua, black and red were historically the colours of struggle as it represented the rebellion against oppression “that has become unbearable”.
“More importantly, it rejects the fatalistic logic that the fall of a tyrannical power will again be replaced by another centralised power. The struggle is to reclaim power for the people,” he said in a Facebook post.
He pointed out that the bicolour flag was used by radical militants during the Spanish civil war, as well as various anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolts in Latin America.
Tian Chua said he had changed his Facebook profile picture to a black and red logo last month as an “early hint to get ready for the struggle”.
He noted that the situation had worsened since then, with people raising white flags in desperate need of food and assistance and contract doctors organising campaigns to call for amendments to the health ministry’s contract system.
“All these are signs of people sinking deeper into crisis. Those in power cannot continue to pretend it’s business as usual,” he said. “After almost a year, the government seems to be running in a circle chasing its own tail, rather than providing solutions.”
Tian Chua added that a group of young activists known as Sekretariat Solidariti Rakyat had launched a “Kibarkan Bendera Hitam” (Fly the black flag) campaign to declare its readiness to fight for change.
While these were only a few sporadic actions, he said they represented the early signs of a potential mass movement.
“Lockdown after lockdown, the people become more and more impoverished. Not only are these lockdown measures futile, the people have become hostage to political power manipulation. The time has come that the people must fight back.”
He questioned if the people should put their hope on politicians to get their numbers, sit idly until Parliament reconvened and wait until Umno decided to officially withdraw from the government.
“We cannot passively expect darkness to miraculously disappear. We don’t want to be devoured by misery and disappointment. We cannot allow the deterioration to continue.
“Let’s stand up to decide our own fate. Fly a black flag, fight!”