Jakarta – The increasingly widespread use of pirate symbols in public spaces, particularly among young people and pop culture enthusiasts, has raised concerns for various parties. The symbol, often associated with a skull and crossbones flag, is often associated with courage, freedom, and adventure. However, in the context of national life, the use of this symbol must be approached wisely to avoid obscuring the meaning and national identity deeply embedded in the Indonesian nation.
Special Staff (Stafsus) of the Pancasila Ideology Development Agency (BPIP), Romo Haryatmoko, assessed that this phenomenon was not merely a prank or an insult to state symbols, but as a form of symbolic expression of the younger generation that reflects social unrest.
“Fiction like One Piece isn’t just entertainment. For its fans, it’s a narrative of resistance against injustice and oppressive power. In situations where formal spaces feel less amenable to criticism, popular culture becomes an alternative channel for conveying social messages,” said Romo.
However, he emphasized the importance of sensitivity to national symbols, especially the Red and White Flag which is not just a cloth, but a symbol of sacrifice, national identity, and national sovereignty.
“The Red and White flag is a sacred symbol. If someone flies another flag on a sacred occasion like Independence Day, many could consider it a form of desecration, not just personal expression,” he added.
On the other hand, the indiscriminate use of pirate symbols has the potential to create misperceptions, especially when associated with national symbols. Therefore, a wise approach is essential to ensure that the use of foreign cultural symbols remains within its intended scope as entertainment and creativity, without displacing national symbols as markers of the nation’s collective identity.
Constitutional Law Expert from Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, Dr. King Faisal Sulaiman, SH, LLM., emphasized that cultural expression and community creativity are part of freedom of expression, as long as they are not misused to insult state symbols or damage the sanctity of state moments.
“If it’s just a youth trend, a community expression, or entertainment, that’s perfectly fine. It could just be the euphoria of One Piece fandom, and that’s still within reasonable limits. Consider it a youth community, especially one that wants to reflect the August 17th celebrations in an eccentric way to stand out,” he said.
Faisal referred to Law Number 24 of 2009, which expressly prohibits acts of degrading, replacing, or competing with the Red and White flag, especially in public and state contexts. He argued that state symbols are part of constitutional dignity and must be protected.
“The state must not allow foreign symbols to replace or be equated with official state symbols. This is not just a legal issue, but also concerns ideological awareness and national honor,” he stressed.
