COMMENT | What started in Jakarta quickly echoed across Asia. In Indonesia, students took to the streets in massive numbers. Their anger was directed at political excess, corruption, and the rising cost of living.

There was no clear leader, no political party steering the movement. The fuel came from TikTok and Instagram. The flame was lit by frustration, and the fire spread city by city.

Then it reached Nepal. Youths in their tens of thousands flooded the streets after the government imposed a ban on dozens of social media platforms. They were met with tear gas and police force. Lives were lost.

Government buildings including the Parliament, were set on fire. Politicians’ homes were attacked. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned amid the unrest. Security forces struggled to contain the protests. The social media ban was overturned.

Across Asia, a pattern is emerging.