Beware of Pirate Flag Euphoria, the Public is Urged to Maintain Nationalistic Spirit Ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Anniversary
Surabaya – As Indonesia approaches its 80th Independence Day, the phenomenon of “One Piece”-style pirate flags being flown in various regions has drawn attention. Several regional heads and academics have warned the public against getting caught up in the hype of pop culture trends that could potentially obscure the meaning of nationalism.
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa emphasized that Independence Day is a crucial opportunity to foster patriotism. She believes that the simultaneous raising of the Red and White flag across various regions will foster a spirit of unity and respect for heroes.
“Raising the Red and White flag in every corner of the region is a tangible form of respect for the heroes’ struggle. There should be no raising of the One Piece flag, especially when it’s juxtaposed with the sacred Red and White,” she said. Khofifah emphasized that the spirit of independence must be maintained through concrete actions, not merely symbolism or following a passing trend.
Central Kalimantan Governor Agustiar Sabran expressed a similar sentiment. He argued that the use of a fictional flag is inconsistent with nationalist values and could lead to misunderstandings about the nation’s identity. “There is no nation above the nation. The Red and White is our identity. The One Piece flag should not be flown,” he asserted.
Agustiar reminded the younger generation to uphold national symbols and not replace them with attributes that could be interpreted as representing other ideologies. “Please be creative and express yourself, but don’t let it obscure the meaning of nationalism. Red and White is non-negotiable,” he emphasized.
From an academic perspective, this phenomenon reflects a shift in how the younger generation interprets symbols of struggle. Supangat, an academic from the University of August 17, 1945 (Untag) in Surabaya, believes the rise of the pirate flag trend is not merely an expression of pop culture but also a reflection of shifting values within society.
“This phenomenon is clearly more than just a trend. Behind the creativity lies the harsh reality that nationalism is slowly being pushed aside by fictional narratives, social media algorithms, and the infatuation with virality,” he explained.
Supangat reminded that the Red and White Flag is not merely a visual symbol, but a national identity with profound historical and emotional value. He emphasized that there are boundaries that should not be crossed in expression.
“When a fictional flag is flown alongside a national symbol, or used for social satire, it’s no longer just an expression. It can obscure the values of nationalism. Social criticism is fine, but the spirit of a national symbol shouldn’t be destroyed for the sake of trending content,” he said.
With Indonesian Independence Day just days away, these figures agreed that the public, especially the younger generation, needs to re-establish the Red and White Flag in a place of honor. The euphoria of pop culture and digital creativity must remain in harmony with the spirit of nationalism. The momentum of independence is expected to serve as a shared reminder that above all trends and entertainment, national identity is a heritage that must be preserved.
