Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — As Indonesia prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day on August 17, a striking new phenomenon has taken over social media. Residents across the country are raising the black pirate flag of the Straw Hat Pirates, the main crew in the hit Japanese anime One Piece, alongside the national red-and-white flag.
Videos circulating on X show the iconic skull-and-crossbones emblem, topped with a straw hat, flying from homes, fences, street corners, and even vehicles. The phenomenon has sparked a mix of reactions online with some praising it as creative expression, while others criticize it as inappropriate in the context of national celebration.
Despite the controversy, several individuals displaying the One Piece flag insist it is not an act of disloyalty to Indonesia. Instead, they describe it as a symbolic protest, a visual manifestation of frustration with the government and the current political climate. The pirate flag, in this context, reflects what they see as the death of justice and the rise of corruption in the country.
Deputy Speaker of Indonesia’s House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, responded to the viral movement, warning of what he called a “systematic effort to divide the nation.”
Citing intelligence reports, he suggested the trend may be part of an orchestrated campaign aimed at undermining national unity ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. “This is part of a systematic movement to fracture national cohesion,” Dasco said.
He added that Indonesia’s rapid development has created resentment among certain groups, who are unhappy to see the country rising as a modern nation. “I urge all Indonesians to unite and stand together against attempts like this,” Dasco said.
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For many Indonesians, the flying of the One Piece Straw Hat Pirates flag goes beyond fandom. It has become a symbolic form of social commentary, a critique of a political system that some believe no longer serves the people
In the world of One Piece, the Straw Hat Pirates are known for challenging tyranny and standing up for the oppressed. These values, some Indonesians say resonate deeply amid their disillusionment with domestic politics.
Thus, the appearance of the One Piece flag in public spaces across the countries just days before the Independence Day has become a powerful new language to channel their protest in this evolving digital age.
(Raidi/Agung)
