Malaysia is in crisis. For almost two years, the country’s political stalemate, coupled with economic downturn brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, has made life more difficult for ordinary Malaysians. In recent months, the #benderaputih (white flag) took social media by storm – where low-income families waving white flags posted on social media to ask for help . On the political front, a counterpart “black flag” movement was launched to show defiance towards the government and its seemingly ineffective pandemic response.

Criticisms of the previous government's handling of the pandemic contributed to Ismail Sabri Yakob's rise to power as prime minister in August 2021, but this change in leadership does not contribute much in addressing the hopelessness and cynicism that many Malaysians still feel.

Malaysia is definitely on the edg ...