JAKARTA, Recently, the phenomenon of raising pirate flags (One Piece) has gone viral on social media ahead of the sacred moment of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day commemoration. Videos and photos of the flags being raised in various locations have circulated on social media.
Some believe this phenomenon poses a potential threat to nationalism. However, others view it as merely a form of popular cultural expression.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), Budi Gunawan, asked the public not to be provoked by this movement.
“As a great nation that values history, we should all refrain from provoking people with symbols that are irrelevant to the nation’s struggle,” said Budi Gunawan.
Budi also added that the government appreciates people’s creative expression, as long as it doesn’t cross boundaries or harm state symbols. He assured that the government would take firm action if there were any deliberate attempts to spread such narratives.
“Law Number 24 of 2009 Article 24 paragraph (1) states ‘Everyone is prohibited from flying the National Flag under any flag or symbol’. This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the state,” he stressed.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, echoed this sentiment. He stated that this phenomenon warrants vigilance, as the display of pirate symbols is suspected of having a systematic agenda to undermine unity.
“We have also detected and received input from intelligence agencies that there are indeed efforts to divide the nation’s unity,” said Dasco.
According to him, the emergence of symbols like the One Piece flag is not just a fun phenomenon, but can be a tool of provocation that endangers stability.
“I appeal to all the nation’s children, let’s unite. We must work together to fight against such things,” said Dasco.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai stated that the government has the right to take firm action against anyone flying the One Piece flag, as it violates the law and constitutes treason. According to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), treason is a trick, an act, or an attempt to overthrow, attack, or overthrow a legitimate government.
“The ban on flag-raising is an important effort to preserve national symbols as a form of respect for the nation,” he explained.