Authorities in Indonesia take action against pirate demonstration flag
Indonesia's One Piece Pirate Flag Controversy: A Symbol of Political Dissent
The use of the pirate flag from the Japanese anime One Piece as a symbol of political protest in Indonesia has sparked controversy and heated debates, leading up to the country's 80th Independence Day in 2025. The government and police have strongly condemned the flag's display, interpreting it as a provocative act that undermines the dignity of the Indonesian national flag and threatens national unity.
Meaning and Origins
The flag, featuring the Jolly Roger skull with a straw hat, originally represents the fictional Straw Hat Pirates led by Monkey D. Luffy in the anime One Piece. In Indonesia, it has been adopted by various groups, including truck drivers and youth, as a symbol of dissatisfaction with the government, particularly President Prabowo Subianto’s policies. Protesters see flying this flag as an indirect way to express dissent because they consider the Indonesian national red-and-white flag too sacred to raise amidst perceived corruption and injustice.
Legal Implications
Indonesian authorities caution that flying the anime pirate flag near or instead of the national flag could violate Law No. 24/2009 concerning national symbols, which criminalizes disrespect to the national flag. Officials have threatened firm actions, including confiscation of pirate flags, raids on sellers, and removal of murals displaying the flag. Police in various regions have been ordered to seize these flags and compensate vendors while warning citizens that hoisting the flag is prohibited and may lead to criminal repercussions.
Public Reaction and Human Rights Concerns
Critics, including Amnesty International Indonesia’s director, argue that government tactics such as confiscations and raids suppress freedom of expression and intimidate citizens. Supporters of the flag assert it represents a spirit of resistance against injustice and a form of political critique, reflecting limited freedom of speech in the country.
The Controversy Unfolds
Individuals like Khariq Anhar, a 24-year-old university student, have raised the One Piece flag as a form of protest. Khariq stated that he found the national flag too sacred to be raised in a corrupt country. Young Indonesians, despite the risk of government repression, continue to display the One Piece flag as a form of protest. A printing business owner in Central Java had their facility raided by plain-clothes police to halt production of the pirate emblem.
The flag represents opposition to an authoritarian world government in the Japanese anime series One Piece. Many view the display of the pirate banner as a protest against President Prabowo Subianto's policies, known as 'Dark Indonesia'. The Jolly Roger skull and bones with a straw hat can be seen on a rising number of trucks, cars, and homes in Indonesia. Ministers cite a law that prohibits flying a symbol higher than the national flag as the basis for any punishment. Under the mentioned law, intent to desecrate, insult, or degrade the flag carries a maximum prison sentence of five years or a fine of nearly $31,000.
Police in Banten Province and West Java Province have threatened action if the One Piece flag is flown next to the national colors. Protests against President Prabowo Subianto's policies began in February and have been ongoing since, with the One Piece flag serving as a potent symbol of dissent and resistance.
[1] The Jakarta Post, "Government warns against pirate flag as a symbol of protest", link [2] Reuters, "Indonesia cracks down on pirate flag protests", link [3] Amnesty International, "Indonesia: Freedom of Expression Under Threat", link [4] BBC News, "Indonesian protests over pirate flag", link [5] Al Jazeera, "Indonesia's 'One Piece' pirate flag controversy", link
- In the realm of arts and culture, the Japanese anime One Piece and its pirate flag have taken on a significant role in Indonesia, becoming a symbol of political dissent and a form of expression, reflecting the country's general-news landscape.
- Beyond politics, the government's actions towards the suppressing of the One Piece flag, such as confiscations and raids, have raised concerns on business and human rights fronts, triggering debate and criticism from organizations like Amnesty International.
- Even in creative sectors like printing businesses, the display of the One Piece pirate flag has resulted in real-life consequences, as evidenced by the raid on a printing facility in Central Java, highlighting the complex interplay of arts, business, culture, and politics in modern Indonesia.
