By: Achmad Ramdani)
Every August 17, the people of Indonesia commemorate Independence Day as a reflective moment on the long struggle undertaken by the nation’s heroes in seizing and defending independence from colonial powers. Independence did not come easily; it was achieved through blood, tears, and the sacrifice of lives. Amid this spirit, a troubling phenomenon has emerged — the use of symbols that fail to reflect the noble values of the struggle, such as the hoisting of pirate flags.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, expressed concern over the hoisting of pirate flags ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. He stressed that during the commemoration of independence, the focus should be on national symbols that represent the spirit of struggle and unity, not foreign icons that may obscure the values of nationalism. Furthermore, Dasco called on all elements of society to return to the nation’s true identity and make the Red-and-White the only flag worthy of being flown during Independence Day celebrations.
The pirate flag, or Jolly Roger — with its skull-and-crossbones symbol — is often used in entertainment, community groups, or ceremonial activities that claim to celebrate freedom of expression. However, it is important to understand that this symbol carries a history of violence, robbery, and unlawful acts. Associating such a symbol with the celebration of independence diminishes the essence of the noble meaning of independence itself.
Historically, pirate flags were used by seafaring pirates to spread terror. The flag was intended to intimidate enemies and symbolize the threat of violence. The skull symbol represents death and, in many cultures, is associated with destruction and chaos. The pirate symbol is not a representation of freedom or rebellion against injustice in a positive sense.
On the contrary, the pirate symbol is a symbol of crime that harms others for personal gain. Pirates robbed merchant ships, killed crew members, and damaged official trade routes. There is no heroic value in their actions. Therefore, making the pirate flag a representation of the spirit of independence is a distortion of meaning. The independence fought for by the Indonesian people is founded on social justice, human dignity, and collective aspirations — not on the spirit of anarchism and individual violence.
The values of Indonesian independence are reflected in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution, which emphasizes the importance of freedom, justice, and eternal peace. The Proclamation of August 17, 1945, was not merely a declaration of freedom from colonial rule but also a promise to the people to build a civilized, just nation that upholds humanitarian values. Values such as mutual cooperation, unity, nationalism, and sacrifice were essential elements in the nation’s struggle. The heroes willingly gave up personal interests for the good of the nation.
Flying a pirate flag during Independence Day celebrations mixes the values of struggle with the values of crime. This misleads younger generations, who should be learning to appreciate their nation’s history with full awareness and responsibility. Some may argue that the use of symbols such as the pirate flag is part of freedom of expression.
In a democratic country like Indonesia, freedom of expression is indeed guaranteed by the constitution. However, that freedom is not absolute; it must be exercised within the framework of social responsibility, cultural norms, and respect for the nation’s noble values.
The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), Budi Gunawan, considered the hoisting of such symbols as a provocation that undermines the dignity of the Red-and-White flag. He emphasized the need to uphold the sanctity of national symbols in accordance with Law No. 24 of 2009, Article 24(1), which states: “It is prohibited for any person to fly the National Flag beneath any other flag or emblem.”
Freedom of expression does not mean the right to offend or undermine the meaning of state symbols. Independence Day celebrations should be an opportunity to strengthen national identity, not to introduce foreign symbols irrelevant to the nation’s struggle. Especially when such symbols originate from cultures of violence, which are contrary to the spirit of peace and civility upon which the nation is founded.
The Deputy Chairman of the Golkar Party, Idrus Marham, stated that hoisting a pirate flag in the context of Independence Day is not an act of creativity but a distortion of meaning. He added that if everyone were free to interpret Independence Day as they wished, the nation would lose its ideological direction. Allowing foreign symbols into Independence Day celebrations could damage the nation’s collective awareness of the history of its struggle and the ideals of independence.
It is important for younger generations to understand their nation’s history in full, including the symbols used in national celebrations. Educational institutions have a crucial role in providing critical understanding about historical symbols — distinguishing those worth emulating from those to be avoided. Using pirate symbols during Independence Day is not creativity, but rather a distortion of history. Young people should be encouraged to design symbols or expressions of independence that embody nationalism, courage, and solidarity — not fear and intimidation.
Indonesia’s Independence Day is a sacred moment that must be protected from any form of symbolic distortion. Hoisting pirate flags or symbols inconsistent with the nation’s values is not only irrelevant but also an insult to the spirit of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for the homeland. Independence is not about boundless freedom — it is a shared responsibility to realize the nation’s noble ideals: a just, prosperous, and civilized society that upholds humanity.
)The author is a National Security Observer
