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Molek FMIndo Gov’t Warns Against Raising ‘One Piece’ Anime Flag Before Independence Day
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In the days leading up to Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day on 17 August, the display of the Straw Hat pirate flag—popularised by Japanese anime One Piece—alongside the national flag has drawn public and political attention.
The trend, observed in various regions, has sparked controversy, with some questioning its appropriateness during a period of national commemoration.
BANDEIRA DO ONE PIECE VIROU SÍMBOLO DE PROTESTO NA INDONÉSIA! ☠️
Em um fenômeno inusitado e poderoso, a bandeira dos Piratas do Chapéu de Palha, símbolo icônico de One Piece, tem surgido em diversos protestos por toda a Indonésia. pic.twitter.com/9llrzozWyi— Action e Comics (@actionecomics) August 3, 2025
Today, Indonesian Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, prohibited people from raising the anime flag ahead of Independence Day as it would be a violation of the law and a form of subversion.
“The ban on raising the flag is an important effort to preserve national symbols as a form of respect for the country,” said Natalius Pigai in a statement according to Tempo.
Presidential Communication Office Head, Hasan Nasbi, reaffirmed the national flag’s status. “It is a necessity. The Indonesian flag cannot be replaced,” he said.
Meanwhile, Deputy House Speaker, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said that the trend was targeted at undermining national unity. “This is not a coincidence. There is a coordinated attempt to divide the nation,” he told the press.
The Significance of the Straw Hat Pirate Flag
The iconic One Piece anime emblem, once prominently featured by Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his 2024 presidential campaign, is now being viewed as a source of division within Indonesian society.
During a presidential debate on 21 January 2024, Gibran was seen wearing a pin displaying the iconic symbol from the anime on his outfit.
This is not the first time that pop culture has been used as a form of protest in the region. In 2020, Thailand students adopted the Hunger Games salute as a protest against their government.
For many young Indonesians, the One Piece flag represents a spirit of rebellion and the fight against corruption and authoritarianism—values embodied by the anime’s protagonist, Luffy, who challenges oppressive powers. Its use alongside the national flag reflects a growing desire among citizens to reclaim national identity through pop culture, while expressing dissatisfaction with the current state of governance.
An Indonesian X user explained, “This flag is not just a symbol of the pirate Monkey D. Luffy, it can be interpreted as a symbol of resistance against the government.”
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