As Indonesia prepares to mark its 80th Independence Day on 17 August 2025, a cultural controversy has emerged involving the widespread display of the One Piece flag, a fictional pirate symbol from the Japanese anime and manga series created by Eiichiro Oda.
The Jolly Roger, featuring a skull with a straw hat, has been seen on homes, vehicles, and in public gatherings across various regions in Indonesia.
While fans recognise the flag as the emblem of the Straw Hat Pirates, the central crew in the One Piece universe and its use outside the context of pop culture has sparked national debate.
Critics argue that displaying the One Piece flag alongside or in place of the Indonesian national flag is a form of disrespect towards a symbol of national identity.
People Raise The One Piece Flag: A Symbol of Pop Culture or Social Protest?
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The Jolly Roger has long represented piracy in fiction, but One Piece reinterprets it with more nuanced meanings: freedom, resistance, friendship, and the fight against injustice.
In the story, each pirate crew has its own variation of the Jolly Roger. The Straw Hat Pirates’ version, a skull adorned with a straw hat, symbolises the values and determination of its leader, Monkey D. Luffy.
Scenes in the anime, such as the moment Luffy redraws the symbol on the body of the whale Laboon or the use of the Sun Pirates’ emblem to cover the scars of slavery, reflect the broader themes of liberation and solidarity.
For fans, displaying the One Piece flag could represent a symbolic alignment with these ideals rather than a political statement.
However, some Indonesians view the display of the flag during Independence Month as a critique of the country’s current social and political conditions.
According to Kompas.com, the flag has been interpreted by some as “a symbol of resistance” and a reflection of dissatisfaction with the state of the nation.
Government Condemns Display of the One Piece Flag
The Indonesian government has taken a firm stance on the issue. As reported by Tempo, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, described the act as “an insult to the dignity of the Red and White flag and the spirit of national pride.” He asserted:
“The Red and White flag is not merely a piece of red and white cloth. It is a symbol born from the prolonged struggles of the nation’s heroes who sacrificed their lives for Indonesia’s independence.”
Gunawan warned that replacing or obscuring the national flag with fictional emblems, regardless of intent, was a violation of national values and law. Citing Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the National Flag, Language, Emblem, and Anthem, he stated:
“The criminal consequences of actions that violate the honour of the Red and White Flag are clearly stipulated in Article 24 paragraph (1), which states, ‘Everyone is prohibited from flying the National Flag under any other flag or emblem’. This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the state.”
Gunawan further noted that the government is monitoring such movements, describing them as more than mere pranks. He warned that certain groups may be attempting to “build a narrative of social discontent through alternative symbols that weaken the spirit of unity.”
Political and Legal Perspectives on the Jolly Roger
The response from lawmakers has varied. As reported by Kompas.com, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, acknowledged the cultural aspect of the One Piece flag and said his party did not oppose the symbol itself:
“The flag itself is not an issue. We understand that many people enjoy the flag from the popular anime. We don’t see any problem with the creativity of flying flags and also the use of the One Piece flag.”
However, Dasco stressed that any attempt to use the symbol to incite division or provoke unrest would not be tolerated.
In contrast, Firman Soebagyo of the Golkar Party condemned the display of the flag during Independence Month as a political provocation:
“These are provocative tactics aimed at bringing down the government. This must be dealt with firmly. At minimum, those involved should be interrogated to determine who ordered it and what their motives were.”
The Head of the Presidential Communication Office, Hasan Nasbi, also weighed in, stating that while freedom of expression is a right in a democratic society, respect for national symbols must be upheld:
“Whether you like or dislike the government is your right. Both are valid choices in this republic. But the red and white flag is not a choice; it is an inevitability. The red and white flag must not be replaced with another.”
Is it Prohibited to Raise the One Piece Flag?
@mothershipsg Ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day on Aug. 17. #news #fyp #onepiece #indonesia ♬ original sound – Mothership
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights, represented by Minister Natalius Pigai, reinforced the legal consequences of flying foreign or fictional flags in place of national symbols. Pigai stated that such acts could be considered a violation of national law and even interpreted as treason:
“The state has the right to prohibit the flying of the fictional pirate flag ‘One Piece’ because it is considered a violation of the law and could be interpreted as a form of treason.”
He further noted that this stance aligns with international law, referencing Indonesia’s ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which allows countries to limit freedom of expression to preserve national security and public order.
The Global View: One Piece Flag as Creative Protest
International media, including the South China Morning Post, have characterised the trend as “creative protest against injustice.”
Posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have praised the symbolic use of the Straw Hat Pirates’ flag, drawing parallels with key moments in One Piece, such as the Marineford and Impel Down arcs.
Observers have noted that the spirit behind displaying the One Piece flag mirrors the core ethos of Monkey D. Luffy, which is resistance to oppression and the unwavering pursuit of freedom.
Conclusion: The Raising of the One Piece Flag
While the display of the One Piece Jolly Rogers flag has become a viral expression of identity and possibly protest among Indonesians.
In the eyes of its fans, this action by the Indonesian people reflects the core values of the main character of the anime series, Monkey D. Luffy: resistance against tyranny and the struggle for freedom.
cover: Tribun
