Youths in Indonesia, Nepal, & Philippines adopt 'One Piece' flag as protest symbol

A cartoon pirate flag from the anime "One Piece" has become a symbol of protest for youths across Asia.

In Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines, where anti-corruption protests are currently raging, Gen Zs have taken to the streets with the flag to show their defiance.

What does it mean?

In the Japanese anime, the flag is flown by the Straw Hat Pirates, a pirate crew fighting against a corrupt World Government.

The flag first appeared in Jakarta in July. Amidst simmering discontent, Indonesians flew the pirate flag in response to Prabowo Subianto's call for the people to fly their national flag ahead of their Aug. 17 Independence Day.

This was criticised by the authorities, with one lawmaker suggesting it might be treason, BBC reported.

Anti-government protests in Indonesia have been ongoing since Aug. 26, with members of the public rising up against controversial policies and "corrupt elites".

They reached a peak when a police vehicle ran over a 21-year-old Gojek rider at a protest on Aug. 28 and killed him.

Protest symbol

Unsurprisingly, the criticism has done little to suppress the flag's use.

Instead, the pirate flag is now being flown in Nepal and the Philippines as well, where protestors have also taken to the streets in defiance of the authorities.

In Nepal, the government's attempt to ban social media sparked the so-called "Gen Z protests", as youths and students across the capital Kathmandu raised placards against perceived government corruption.

30 people have been killed so far, amid rising violence. Angry protestors have also torched government buildings and politicians' homes.

Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a series of floods during the monsoon season resulted in the discovery of "ghost projects" across the island.

Billions of dollars had been poured into flood control projects, which were declared complete, but, upon checking, they were found to have not been built.

Focus has also turned to the children of contractors and public officials in charge of the projects, who were perceived to have flaunted their wealth on social media, inciting outrage.

“While we are sinking in floodwater and mud, they are drowning in money they stole from the people,” environmental activist Jonila Castro said.

Top image from AFP and Fernandez EJ/Facebook