Electric poles no place for white flags, say Pahang cops

 

Pahang police say people should put up the white flags at their own homes so that those who want to help can know where to send the aid. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: Pahang police told desperate villagers who had put up white flags to take them down because the flags were hoisted at “public amenities”.

State police chief Ramli Mohamed Yoosuf denied claims that his personnel threatened to fine villagers in Kampung Bukit Setongkol, Kuantan for flying the flags to seek food and assistance in light of a worsening health and economic crisis.

Instead, he said, they told the villagers that it was “improper” to hoist the flags on public amenities, such as electric poles.

“Police spoke to the villagers and told them that hoisting the flags outside their homes was the correct thing to do,” he told FMT.

Ramli said placing the flags on electric poles was not suitable as it would make it difficult for those who wanted to hand over aid.

He also said that aid had been given to seven families who were in dire need following the latest round of movement restrictions as it had affected their income.

Many of the villagers, he said, were suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes and/or had suffered from stroke.

“They weren’t influenced by anyone to hoist the white flags.”

Earlier today, Sinar Harian reported that 13 families from the village were instructed to remove the flags.

The villagers were allegedly told that it was an offence and could be slapped with a fine if they did not remove the flags. - FMT