'One Piece' manga flags flying in Indonesia as likely protest against government
The banners began to appear after President Prabowo Subianto called for people to fly the national flag ahead of Independence day on August 17. Local media say images of the fictional flags on houses and cars spread rapidly on social media from last month.
The "One Piece" story features a freedom-loving pirate who sometimes falls foul of the authorities. Observers say people are using the flags to express their dissatisfaction with the government.
Painting a pirate symbol on a wall, mural artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus said the flag is "a symbol of warning for the government, so they have to look at their people."
Indonesian law bans flying the red-and-white national ensign lower than other flags. But that didn't stop the protestors.
State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi called for respect for the national flag, saying it will be a problem if some people use creative expression for "inappropriate purposes."
The Prabowo administration has come under increasing criticism over its economic and development policies.
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NHK
3 days ago
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'One Piece' manga flags flying in Indonesia as likely protest against government
Flags from the smash-hit Japanese comic book "One Piece" have been flying across Indonesia in an apparent form of protest against the government. The banners began to appear after President Prabowo Subianto called for people to fly the national flag ahead of Independence day on August 17. Local media say images of the fictional flags on houses and cars spread rapidly on social media from last month. The "One Piece" story features a freedom-loving pirate who sometimes falls foul of the authorities. Observers say people are using the flags to express their dissatisfaction with the government. Painting a pirate symbol on a wall, mural artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus said the flag is "a symbol of warning for the government, so they have to look at their people." Indonesian law bans flying the red-and-white national ensign lower than other flags. But that didn't stop the protestors. State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi called for respect for the national flag, saying it will be a problem if some people use creative expression for "inappropriate purposes." The Prabowo administration has come under increasing criticism over its economic and development policies.
