Amelia Rahima Sari, Jakarta – Several sociology professors in Indonesia responded to the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day on August 17, 2025.

Ubedilah Badrun, a sociology professor at the Jakarta State University, said that the hoisting of the pirate flag with a straw hat does not need to be overreacted by the government. Especially, it should not be interpreted as an attempt of subversion and the like.

"But from a political sociology standpoint, every visible symbol in the public arena, including on social media, is an expression of the citizens to convey something," Ubedilah said when contacted on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

He stated that the raising of the One Piece flag is a means of political and social expression for the community, especially the younger generation. According to him, the younger generation is more familiar with popular cultural symbols to express their grievances.

Ubedilah mentioned that in the past five years, almost all criticisms or aspirations towards the government have consistently used specific symbols. For example, the blue Garuda symbol during the Indonesia Darurat (Emergency Indonesia) movement, the black Garuda icon during the Indonesia Gelap (Dark Indonesia) movement, and so on.

"All of these symbols carry meaning as signs of criticism or resistance against the government," said Ubedilah. He explained that through these symbols, the people express various aspirations.

He provided examples of some of these aspirations, such as to prevent the weakening of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), eradicate corruption to its roots, reject nepotism, meaningful participation in the making of laws, not manipulating laws or the constitution for power, not damaging democracy, uphold law and justice, provide decent living rights for laborers, not to damage the environment, and so on. All of these demands are still relevant to this day.

"So, if a new symbol of resistance appears in the form of the One Piece flag, I interpret it as a citizen's expression of critique or resistance against injustice and the social conditions felt by the people over the past five years until now," said Ubedilah. "They are disappointed and fed up with the political situation that has not seriously fought for the rights of the people."

As a symbol of particular political messages, he continued, the raising of the One Piece flag is similar to the aspirations or participation of citizens. This is the right of citizens guaranteed by the constitution.

He stated that from a symbolic point of view in political sociology, the One Piece flag is not just a product of an anime. "But it has become a tool for conveying messages about the hope for justice and change."Therefore, he advised the government not to respond to it negatively. Especially not to overreact.

The same sentiment was expressed by Bagong Suyanto, a sociology professor at Airlangga University. He stated that the raising of the One Piece flag is a form of symbolic resistance.

"It is a protest symbol that the Indonesian people are being colonized, losing their freedom," said Bagong in a short message on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

He believes the government needs to respond with objective data, not just a war of narratives. "If it is only refuted without data, it's hard for the public to accept," said Bagong, especially if it is simply silenced. "So, a healthy dialogue space is needed."

One resident from Riau, Kharik Anhar, also hoisted the pirate flag with a straw hat. He was undeterred by the criminal threats issued by the government for those who raise the One Piece flag.

"There is no article that prohibits people from hoisting flags of figures, football clubs, or animations at home or on vehicles," said Kharik when contacted on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

He also gathered other residents and students from various regions. Kharik consolidated the campaign to raise the pirate flag so that it could be displayed massively in front of houses and spread through social media. At least, there are already 320 people involved in this campaign for hoisting the pirate flag.

– Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2035769/one-piece-flag-is-a-form-of-social-criticism-say-sociologist