Residents of Lai Chee Lane, Sibu raising white flags

Residents of Lai Chee Lane raising white flags to show their needs of food aid.

SIBU, July 2: About 10 families from two rows of terrace houses at Jalan Lai Chee have become the first to raise white flags after running out of food supply.

A resident, Bagik Kajan, 39, said they copied the idea after seeing it on Facebook.

“Our opposite neighbours started it by hanging the white flags on their gates some time last week. When they told us the purpose, we followed suit,” said Bagik, who is from Jagau, Kanowit.

Bagik said this is the first time that they are asking for help from the public.

“We have never done this before. Since we are already running out of food, we have no choice but to do it,” she said.

Bagik who has been staying with her sister, Faridah, 36, for the past 10 years, said they are now in a difficult situation with no income.

“We have no income as the coffee shop where we are working is still closed since the current movement control order. After the first MCO (Movement Control Order), the coffee shop business was also not doing well especially when dine-in was prohibited,” she added.

Some white flag have been erected at some terrace houses at Lai Chee Lane, Sibu.

Faridah chipped in hoping that Good Samaritans would come to their aid.

“Yesterday one man showed up in his black car and distributed food aid to five of our opposite neighbours. The items they received included a bag of rice, cooking oil and five tins of Sardine,” she said.

Their next door neighbour, Garaji Kumarau, 75, is also in urgent need of food.

“I hope food aid will come fast for us as our food is depleting by day,” said Garaji.

A 15-second video clip of these residents raising white flags has gone viral on social media. — DayakDaily