Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesian officials are pushing back against a growing trend of residents raising the One Piece pirate flag alongside the national red-and-white flag ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day on August 17.
Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai issued a stern warning, stating that the government has the legal authority to ban the display of the “Straw Hat Pirate” flag, drawn from the popular Japanese anime series One Piece.
“The state has the right to prohibit the flying of the One Piece flag, as it constitutes a legal violation and could be interpreted as an act of subversion,” Pigai said in Jakarta, on Sunday (Aug. 3).
Pigai urged the public to refrain from acts that could disrupt national stability, warning that widespread displays of unauthorized flags, particularly ones that appear to equate with national symbols could be seen as attempts to undermine the state.
“I hope the public understands that this restriction is a necessary measure to preserve national unity and integrity,” he added.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan also weighed in, calling the flag displays a form of provocation that disrespects the sanctity of the national flag.
“As a proud nation that honors its history, we must all show restraint and avoid using symbols that are irrelevant to the struggle for independence,” Budi said in Jakarta on Friday (Aug. 1).
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While Budi acknowledged citizens’ creative freedom of expression, he stressed that it must not come at the expense of national pride. If the government identifies deliberate efforts to spread such narratives, he said, authorities will respond firmly.
“The government will take decisive legal action against any deliberate provocation to ensure respect for national symbols,” he stated.
He cited Article 24, Paragraph 1 of Law No. 24/2009, which clearly prohibits hoisting the national flag beneath or alongside any other symbol. “This is about protecting the dignity of our nation and its symbols,” Budi emphasized.
With Indonesia approaching its 80th Independence Day, both ministers called on citizens to honor the flag and the sacrifices of national heroes by upholding the red-and-white as the sole emblem of national identity.
(Raidi/Agung)
