Jakarta – As Indonesia approaches its eightieth anniversary of independence, the government has emphasized the obligation of all citizens to uphold the honor of national symbols. The raising of pirate flags, which has appeared in several regions, is seen as an inappropriate act that violates national values.
Symbols such as the Red and White Flag, the Garuda emblem, and the national anthem Indonesia Raya represent sovereign identities that should not be compromised. The Indonesian Independence Day celebration is a time for historical reflection and strengthening of national identity, not an opportunity to glorify foreign pop culture that is inappropriate for the national context.
The Director General of Politics and General Administration at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bahtiar, emphasized that regional governments have been instructed to regulate unofficial attributes from public spaces.
“Independence Day celebrations are a space to instill national values, not a place to glorify foreign cultures that could actually obscure the nation’s identity,” he said when asked for information by the media.
Several regions have also taken swift action. In Bandung and Makassar, pirate flags displayed in residential areas have been removed and replaced with official state symbols. Local governments and security forces have also provided direct education to residents about the importance of preserving the sanctity of state symbols.
The General Chairman of GP Ansor, Addin Jauharuddin, expressed his condemnation of the raising of the flag depicting pirates in the context of the independence celebrations.
“We strongly reject any misuse of national symbols, including the raising of pirate flags in the context of independence ceremonies. This reflects a low understanding of history and national identity,” he said.
He also added that the younger generation needs to strengthen their national literacy so that they do not get caught up in popular culture that is not contextually appropriate.
“The public must be able to welcome the eightieth anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia with a spirit of unity and love for the homeland,” he added.
“The display of the Red and White Flag must follow the official guidelines from the Ministry of State Secretariat, and the use of attributes that do not reflect national values should be avoided to maintain the meaning of the Independence Day commemoration,” he concluded.
He emphasized that Indonesian independence was the result of a long struggle that should not be obscured by momentary euphoria, and that upholding the dignity of the Red and White Flag was not only a legal obligation, but also a form of respect for history, national identity, and the spirit of the nation’s founders who had sacrificed everything for the sake of the nation’s sovereignty.