The phenomenon of raising the One Piece flag with the iconic skull and straw hat emblem from the widely popular anime series is increasingly widespread in Indonesia leading up to the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence Day. The black flag with the smiling skull and straw hat is the symbol of the fictional pirate group led by the main character of the anime.
The massive display of the One Piece flag has sparked a serious debate in public spaces and social media. Some members of the public have utilized this symbol to express their disappointment in the government and as a form of protest against the current social and political conditions. However, this action has stirred widespread controversy, particularly from the government.
Social criticism symbolism
The flag, now widely raised, is known as the Jolly Roger in the One Piece anime series. Its symbol is a skull with two crossed bones, which serves as a warning of danger.
In the One Piece story, this symbol is used by pirate crews, including on their ships and clothing. In Indonesia, the display of this flag by some is seen as a symbol of resistance to injustice and dissatisfaction with the government. The flag also features the distinctive straw hat emblem of the main character, Monkey D. Luffy.
Rio Nafta, a representative of the One Piece Indonesian Collectors Community (Kopki) in Surabaya, stated that the display of the flag from the anime series is merely a symbolic act expressing public discontent. He emphasized that this action is not an incitement to rebellion. "In reality, it is only symbolic, an expression of public disappointment with the policies issued by the government," he said in a brief message to Tempo on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Ubedilah Badrun, a sociology academic at Jakarta State University, expressed that the display of the One Piece flag by certain citizens should not be overly responded to by the government, especially if it is interpreted as an attempt at sedition and the like.
"But in terms of sociopolitical symbolism, any symbol that emerges massively in public arenas, including on social media, is an expression of citizens to convey something," he told Tempo on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Ubedilah continued, stating that the display of the One Piece flag is a form of political and social expression, particularly for the younger generation. He added that young people tend to use symbols from popular culture to express their concerns. Over the last five years, almost all criticism and aspirations toward the government have been manifested through specific symbols, such as the blue Garuda during the Indonesia Darurat movement and the black Garuda during the Indonesia Gelap movement. According to Ubedilah, these symbols reflect the public's criticism and resistance against the government.
Legal academic perspectives
Herdiansyah Hamzah, a constitutional law lecturer at Mulawarman University, stated that the display of the One Piece flag is not clearly a violation of the law because there are no regulations prohibiting it. Citizens are allowed to display the flag as long as its position does not surpass that of the Indonesian flag. This provision is stipulated in Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the National Flag, Language, State Emblem, and Anthem.
"The display of the flag is not prohibited as long as it does not exceed the height or size of the Indonesian flag. In many cases, the position of the One Piece flag remains below the Indonesian flag," he said on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Herdiansyah stated that there are no rules or court decisions prohibiting the display of the One Piece flag. The symbol also does not represent a banned country or organization, unlike the hammer and sickle flag. He believes that the One Piece flag is public criticism of the government, which should not be met with legal threats. He emphasized that there is constitutional support for this, referring to Article 28E paragraph (3) of the 1945 Constitution which guarantees the freedom to assemble and express, including through symbols such as flags.
Government response
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, stated that the display of the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia contains criminal elements and violates the sanctity of the national flag. Therefore, he continued, the government will take legal action against such actions.
"This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the state," he said on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad called on the public to unite against the divisive efforts through the display of the One Piece flag. He detected an intention to sow discord and urged all parties to reject and oppose it.
– Hendrik Yaputra, Michelle Gabriela, Amelia Rahima Sari, and Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.