Jakarta – The controversy surrounding the raising of a pirate flag depicting the One Piece symbol ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia has drawn strong criticism from various parties. Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan assessed that the action was not merely a whim or a creative act, but rather a criminal offense, demeaning the honor of the Indonesian flag.
“The raising of the Red and White flag is regulated in Article 24 paragraph 1 of Law Number 24 of 2009. No one may raise the national flag under any other flag or symbol. Violation of this rule can be categorized as a criminal offense,” Budi emphasized. According to him, this action clearly violates the meaning of the national symbol, which should be kept sacred, especially during the sacred moment of independence.
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, also expressed deep concern. He said intelligence reports indicated a systematic movement deliberately spreading non-state symbols to disrupt national unity. “The wave of pirate flag-raising ahead of August 17th cannot be taken lightly. This could be a tool of provocation that divides the nation amidst the progress being achieved,” he said. Dasco added that independence is a moment of national unity, and such fictional symbols obscure the meaning of the heroes’ struggle and sacrifice.
Firman Soebagyo, Deputy Chairman of the Golkar faction in the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), assessed that the raising of the One Piece flag constituted symbolic treason. “This is not freedom of expression, but rather a structured provocation that has the potential to undermine the government’s authority,” he asserted. Firman urged law enforcement officials to immediately investigate the perpetrators and all parties involved to create a deterrent effect and foster collective awareness to uphold the honor of state symbols.
The General Chairman of the Red and White Army (LMP), HM. Arsyad Cannu, even strictly prohibited the flying of fictional flags throughout Indonesia. “The Red and White flag is not just a piece of cloth, but the nation’s historical, philosophical, and legal identity. Flying fictional flags in public spaces is a threat to the sanctity of the national symbol,” he said.
Public policy researcher Riko Noviantoro added that state symbols have a status that cannot be equated with pop culture symbols. “If there is any disrespect to the Red and White flag, there is potential for legal sanctions. The public must understand that this is not just entertainment,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Parahyangan University sociologist Garlika Martanegara believes this phenomenon reflects low digital literacy and a decline in nationalist values. He believes many young people are caught up in viral trends without understanding the deeper meaning of national symbols. “Raising the pirate flag, especially alongside the Red and White flag during Independence Day commemorations, will only weaken respect for the heroes’ struggles,” he said.
The figures emphasized that this action not only violated social norms but also potentially constituted a crime because it demeaned the national symbol. They agreed that on Independence Day, the Red and White flag should fly alone, as the sole symbol representing the Indonesian nation’s struggle for independence.