By: Damar Wicaksono)
The month of August always brings a deeply meaningful atmosphere for the Indonesian nation. Each year, people across the country commemorate Independence Day with various activities that reflect gratitude, respect, and remembrance of the sacrifices of national heroes.
At the heart of these celebrations, the Red and White flag (Merah Putih) stands as the sole symbol of national identity. However, a recent phenomenon on social media has drawn concern, where some individuals raised a flag bearing the pirate logo from the One Piece anime as a substitute for the national flag. This trend has sparked unease among many, as it risks diminishing the sacred meaning of the independence commemoration.
Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, stressed that the month of independence must not be marred by provocations that demean the national symbol. He emphasized that the Red and White is the fruit of a long struggle and extraordinary sacrifices; thus, hoisting any other flag in its place runs counter to the spirit of nationalism. According to him, the government regards the display of fictional flags as a provocative act that could weaken the authority of the state.
Budi also highlighted the importance of public legal awareness. He reminded that Law No. 24 of 2009 strictly prohibits flying the Red and White beneath or alongside any other flag or symbol. This regulation is not a mere formality but a safeguard of the nation’s dignity. The government, he affirmed, will take firm measures against anyone deliberately seeking to belittle the state symbol. Upholding the law, he said, is crucial to ensuring the sanctity of the flag for current and future generations.
He further emphasized that the independence celebration should be filled with gratitude, reverence for the heroes, and the hope that the Red and White will always fly proudly over the land. He urged that people may express creativity freely, but never at the expense of the national symbol. In this way, freedom of expression can coexist with the preservation of national identity.
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, voiced a similar view. He asserted that the Red and White is the sole national flag that must be hoisted on Independence Day. He cautioned against conflating the One Piece flag controversy with the younger generation’s love for popular culture. He noted that not all people understand the cultural background of such symbols, creating a risk of misinterpretation as rejection of the national flag.
Dasco underlined that anime fans should not be stigmatized as having ill intent toward the nation. He explained that the pirate emblem in the anime is simply part of global pop culture, not a political or separatist symbol. However, he reaffirmed that in the context of the state, the Red and White holds an irreplaceable status. Thus, he urged society to uphold it as the sole emblem of the nation’s identity during Independence Day.
Minister of State Secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, also echoed this message. He conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto has no objection to people raising fictional flags as a form of personal expression, but such acts must not be equated with, let alone placed in opposition to, the Red and White. The government, Prasetyo emphasized, is open to public expression as long as it does not violate the fundamental principles of respect for the nation.
Prasetyo further reminded that Indonesia’s independence was won through hard struggle, not granted as a gift. Thus, the Red and White must be the only flag raised during Independence Day commemorations. He regarded the juxtaposition of popular culture with national symbols as misguided and potentially harmful to unity. For the government, freedom of expression is respected, but it must remain within boundaries that preserve the nation’s dignity.
He urged the public not to be provoked by calls to replace the national flag with other symbols, stressing that such actions betray the struggle of heroes who gave their lives for independence. The Red and White, he said, is not just colored cloth but the emblem of identity, dignity, and honor that must be protected collectively.
The social media debate over fictional flags should serve as a lesson for Indonesians. The 80th Independence Day commemoration is not merely an annual ceremony, but an opportunity to reaffirm national identity amidst the tide of global pop culture. Young people may still express themselves creatively, but not in ways that reduce the sanctity of the national symbol.
The Red and White has borne witness to the nation’s journey, from the struggle for freedom to the modern era. It binds together Indonesia’s diversity of cultures, languages, and religions. Safeguarding the dignity of the flag is therefore not only the government’s responsibility, but the duty of all citizens. Celebrating independence with respect for the Red and White strengthens unity and reaffirms Indonesia’s identity as a free and sovereign nation.
Thus, the Red and White must remain the sole symbol of identity in every Independence Day commemoration. It cannot be replaced, equated, or opposed by any other emblem. Indonesians are called to honor the flag as a reflection of gratitude for independence and as a commitment to preserve unity for future generations.
*) Political and Social Analyst