The hoisting of One Piece flag has become a public spotlight here in Indonesia. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence on August 17, the flag of the Japanese anime series about pirates has been flying from houses to vehicles in various regions.
One resident of Kebayoran, South Jakarta, Riki Hidayat, for example, said he was reluctant to hoist the Indonesian flag this year. For the past three years, the 31-year-old man has been hoisting the flag at half-mast every Independence Day. "It's a sign of mourning, because our government is moving further away from the principles of democracy," said Riki when contacted on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Riki no longer hoisted the Indonesian flag at half-mast. Instead, he intended to hoist the One Piece flag in front of his house this year.
Riki said he was inspired after seeing many social media users sharing photos of the One Piece flag hoisted in front of their houses. "It's okay, maybe people will just think I'm a wibu (weeaboo)," he said. Wibu is a term for non-Japanese people who are very fond of Japanese culture, especially anime and manga.
He stated that the One Piece flag has a deep meaning. He said the anime series talks about the freedom that can be possessed by anyone. The main character of the anime, Monkey D. Luffy, is also a brave figure who rebels against arbitrary rulers. "The essence is to be free from oppression," he said.
The hoisting of the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's independence has received responses from various circles.
Minister: Criminal consequences for disrespecting the Indonesian flag
Coordinating Minister for Politics and Security (Menkopolkam) Budi Gunawan said there is provocation from certain groups to lower the dignity of the national struggle flag (Red and White) and replace it with symbols of fictional characters.
He invited the public to respect the sacrifices of the fighters and heroes who have sacrificed. According to him, the Red and White flag is the result of the collective struggle of the predecessors. "As a great nation that respects history, we should all refrain from provoking with symbols that are irrelevant to the nation's struggle," he said in a written statement on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Budi said there are criminal consequences for actions that disrespect the red and white flag. He stated that this has been regulated in Article 24 paragraph (1) of Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the National Flag, Language, State Emblem, and National Anthem. The policy states that everyone is prohibited from hoisting the national flag under any other flag or symbol.
"The government will take firm and measured legal action if there is an element of intent and provocation to ensure the order and credibility of the state symbols," he said.
The former Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) said the government appreciates expressions of creativity to commemorate Independence Day while also urging that these expressions do not violate boundaries and disrespect national symbols.
Dasco: Hoisting one piece flag during Independence Day effort to divide the nation
Deputy Chairman of the People's Representative Council (DPR) Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said hoisting the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of Independence Day is an attempt to divide the nation. He stated that this phenomenon is moving systematically.
"We have detected and received input from security institutions that there are indeed efforts to divide unity," Dasco said in the parliamentary complex, Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
According to Dasco, at present, there are many groups that actually want regression for the country. However, he said, Indonesia under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto is moving towards progress.
The Secretary-General of the Gerindra Party urged the public to unite amidst efforts to divide through hoisting the One Piece flag. "We must resist such things. Let's unite and fight," he said.
DPR member: Global pop culture one piece must not disturb nationalism
Meanwhile, member of the House of Representatives Commission III Rizki Faisal said global pop culture expression regarding the emergence of the One Piece flag phenomenon must not blur national values. According to him, it would become sensitive if foreign symbols were hoisted like national flags in public places, so all parties need to carefully observe the phenomenon.
"We must not ignore its psychosocial impact," said Rizki in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday, August 1, 2025, as quoted from Antara.
The Golkar Party politician fully supported the call from Deputy Chairman of the DPR Sufmi Dasco Ahmad to always be vigilant against any efforts that can divide the nation, especially regarding the One Piece phenomenon that emerged ahead of Indonesia's Independence Day.
"I think what Mr. Dasco, as the leader of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, said is very appropriate. Our youth must not be trapped in any efforts that have the potential to divide the nation," he said. "Don't let popular cultural expressions be exploited and develop into symbols of potential division."
As a member of the House of Representatives responsible for law, security, and human rights, he also urged law enforcement to be proportional and remain vigilant. He requested an educational approach to be prioritized in anticipation of the possibility of infiltration of provocative narratives through cultural symbols.
"We in Commission III will continue to oversee that the space for expression remains healthy, free, but still within the framework of love for the homeland and does not ignite sentiments that lead to disintegration," he said.
Regarding the One Piece flag, Rizki also urged all elements of society, including youth figures and digital communities, to be wiser in choosing symbols displayed in public spaces, especially ahead of national celebrations.
– Novali Panji Nugroho, Dinda Shabrina, and Antara contributed to this article.