August 1, 2025 | 07:24 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, warns against raising the flag of the Japanese anime One Piece ahead of Independence Day on August 17. According to him, raising the anime flag tarnishes the honor of Indonesia's red and white national flag and is subject to criminal repercussions.
The minister explains that people are forbidden to raise the national flag under other symbols. This provision is regulated in Article 24 paragraph 1 of Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the Flag, Language, State Symbol, and National Anthem.
The government will take action against the One Piece flag-raising, especially if the action is proven to be intentional and provocative. "This is our effort to protect the dignity and the symbol of the nation," Budi said in his written statement on Friday, August 1st, 2025.
Raising the One Piece flag just before Indonesia's 80th anniversary of Independence Day belittles the nobility of Indonesia's proof of struggle, Budi says, adding that he's concerned about the growing movement within Indonesian communities.
"I invite all citizens to appreciate our fighters and heroes who sacrificed themselves for us," said Budi.
As a nation that honors its history, Budi says, the Indonesian people must refrain from causing unrest amidst preparations for Independence Day. Especially as the pirate flag some people are raising is irrelevant to the nation's struggle.
"We appreciate expressions of creativity to commemorate Independence Day while urging that these expressions do not violate boundaries and tarnish national symbols," he says.
The flag-hoisting of the One Piece flag in front of houses and on vehicles was going viral on social media ahead of the Independence Day commemoration on August 17. This action was suspected to be an expression of disappointment from the public towards the government.
Riki Hidayat, a resident of Kebayoran, South Jakarta, also planned to install the One Piece flag at his home. According to him, the pirate flag symbolizes universal freedom, as the main character of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy, is known as a figure who bravely rebels against rulers who tend to act arbitrarily.
"The essence is to be free from oppression," he said, Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Therefore, this 31-year-old man argued that raising the One Piece flag before Independence Day is a symbol of protest from the people who have long been dissatisfied with the government's performance. "This is not about losing our sense of nationalism," he said.
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