Residents of Kebayoran, South Jakarta, including Riki Hidayat, expressed their refusal to display the Indonesian national flag in celebration of the 80th Independence Day on August 17, 2025. Riki mentioned having half-masted the flag every Independence Day over the past three years.
"It's a sign of mourning because our government is increasingly moving away from democratic principles," Riki said during a phone call on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
According to Riki, the One Piece flag holds a deep meaning. Riki explained that One Piece tells a story about freedom that can be attained by anyone. The main character of the anime, Monkey D. Luffy, is a brave figure who rebels against authoritarian rulers.
"The essence is freedom from oppression," he said.
Responding to the phenomenon of hoisting the One Piece flag, Prabowo Subianto stated that he had no issue with the hoisting of the One Piece flag by various communities as part of their creative expression, according to the State Secretary Minister, Prasetyo Hadi, at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
"If it's as a form of expression, then it's okay, there's no issue. But it should not be used to clash, compare, or confront with the red and white flag. It shouldn't be like this, our national flag, the red and white, is the only one," Prasetyo Hadi said.
The activity of hoisting the One Piece flag has sparked controversy for the government. Here are the parties opposing the hoisting of the One Piece flag:
1. Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Sufmi Dasco Ahmad
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, stated that hoisting the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Indonesian Independence Day was an attempt to sow discord among the nation.
"We have detected and received information from security agencies about efforts to sow discord and disunity," Dasco said when approached at Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
According to Dasco, the phenomenon of hoisting the One Piece flag indicates the existence of groups wishing to regress the nation. However, Indonesia under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, Dasco said, is moving towards progress. He believes that this phenomenon is happening systematically.
Sufmi Dasco called on the public to unite in the face of efforts to sow discord through hoisting the One Piece flag. "We must resist such things. Let's unite and fight," he said.
2. Minister for Human Rights Natalius Pigai
Minister for Human Rights Natalius Pigai prohibited people from hoisting the anime flag of One Piece ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence. Pigai claimed that hoisting the One Piece flag would constitute a violation of the law and an act of subversion if it is hoisted alongside the red and white flag.
"The prohibition on hoisting the flag is important to uphold national symbols as a form of respect for the country," Pigai stated on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Natalius Pigai revealed that the ban on hoisting the fictional flag aligns with the principles of international law that grant each country the right to take action on issues related to national integrity and stability, as recognized by the United Nations (UN) through the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights ratified by Indonesia under Law Number 12 of 2005.
3. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon
Minister of Culture Fadli Zon urged the public to prioritize hoisting the Red and White flag over the One Piece flag.
"I think we should focus on moving forward, celebrating Indonesia's independence, so our flag should take precedence," Fadli Zon said after opening Gita Bahana Nusantara at Kinasih Resort, Tapos Area, Depok, on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Fadli requested that this phenomenon not lead to any misconceptions as August marks Indonesia's 80 years of independence.
"People might misunderstand, not everyone understands. So, I think it should be handled wisely. Therefore, we should emphasize the hoisting of red and white attributes everywhere," he said.
– Dinda Shabrina, Novali Panji Nugroho, M. Rizki Yusrial, and Ricky Juliansyah contributed to this article.