The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) regrets the government's move to ban the raising of the One Piece flag. Komnas HAM Chairman Anis Hidayah believes that the arrest of individuals raising the skull and straw hat-emblazoned flag is excessive and violates human rights.
"So the government's reaction is excessive, especially with the arrests, removal of the flag's images, and so on," said Anis when met in the Cikini area, Central Jakarta, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
According to Anis, the raising of the flag, displaying images, or using One Piece attributes by the public is a form of their expression. The freedom of expression for citizens is guaranteed and protected by the constitution and laws. 'So it should be a part of how the public enjoys their rights,' she said.
Anis urges the government to avoid being excessive in responding to public expression in the future. She calls for the government to ensure the protection of freedom of speech and expression as part of fulfilling the human rights of citizens.
Meanwhile, the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of Indonesia's Independence Day celebration is seen as a form of public's disappointment with the government's policy. The skull and straw hat-emblazoned flag is a symbol of the Straw Hat Pirates group.
Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga is known for its story of resistance against injustice. Monkey D. Luffy, the main character in the Japanese comic, is often depicted as defying corrupt authorities and oppressive military. For fans, the raising of the pirate symbol is considered a form of support for the values of justice, freedom, and determination to pursue dreams in the story.
However, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan stated that raising the One Piece flag carries criminal consequences. He referred to Article 24, paragraph (1) of Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the Flag, Language, and State Emblem, which prohibits the raising of the national flag under another symbol or emblem. The former Head of the State Intelligence Agency believes that raising a substitute emblem for the national flag tarnishes the nation's dignity.
Budi urges the public to refrain from exceeding the limits of expression in the midst of the celebration of Indonesia's Independence. "This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the nation," said Budi on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Recently, President Prabowo Subianto also made a statement regarding the prohibition of the public raising the One Piece flag for provocation purposes. State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi stated that the provocation mentioned by Prabowo includes inciting the raising of the One Piece flag instead of the Red and White flag.
This Gerindra politician said that the Red and White flag is very sacred, especially towards the 80th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia on August 17, 2025. He invites the younger generation to love the Red and White. "Regardless of the condition, it must be loved," he said on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
– Ervana Tri Karina Putri contributed to this article.