Jakarta – The trend of raising pirate flags inspired by the anime One Piece during Indonesia’s independence month has recently drawn attention. The phenomenon, visible both in public spaces and across social media, has sparked concerns over respect for the national flag.
Supangat, an academic from the University of 17 August 1945 (Untag) Surabaya, warned that such trends could impact the sense of nationalism.
“This phenomenon is clearly more than just a trend or pop culture. Unfortunately, behind the creativity, nationalism is gradually being pushed aside by fictional narratives, social media algorithms, and the obsession with virality,” Supangat said.
He acknowledged that young people still need space for expression, and that Indonesia does not reject popular culture—including fictional works that convey resistance. However, he stressed that there are limits that must be respected.
“The Red and White is not a symbol that can be paired randomly. When a fictional flag is flown alongside the national emblem, it represents a shift in meaning that could blur national values,” he emphasized.
Supangat also highlighted the influence of digital algorithms in shaping public mindsets. According to him, social media recommendation systems often amplify entertainment preferences rather than promoting educational or patriotic content.
“This is what I call disorienting digital nationalism. A nation’s identity could lose its anchor if society’s digital literacy remains low,” he explained.
From the government’s perspective, calls to safeguard national symbols continue to be voiced. Johan Rosihan, Secretary of the PKS MPR RI Faction, said global culture does not need to be opposed but must not displace national symbols. He stressed the importance of creating patriotic narratives that resonate with the digital generation, so that the Red and White is present not only in ceremonies but also within creative online spaces.
Concrete movements have also been carried out in the regions. South Kalimantan Regional Police Chief Inspector General Rosyanto Yudha Hermawan, together with the Governor and the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), distributed 15,000 national flags to the public. In Makassar, Head of the National Unity and Political Agency (Kesbangpol), Fatur Rahim, urged residents to raise the Red and White flag at their homes throughout August as a sign of national pride.
Supangat emphasized that the greatest challenge is not simply banning fictional symbols, but restoring the prestige of the Red and White in the digital sphere.
“Digital platforms should embed patriotic content into their core algorithms. Technology must take the side of national values,” he said.
As Indonesia celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the call to honor the Red and White both in physical and virtual spaces grows ever more important. The national flag is not only a symbol of unity but also the irreplaceable identity of Indonesia.
Mau saya rapikan lagi jadi gaya artikel opini internasional (lebih argumentatif, sedikit ringkas, cocok untuk media asing) atau tetap dalam format straight news translation seperti ini?
