As Indonesia approaches its historic 80th Independence Day on August 17, President Prabowo Subianto has urged citizens to proudly display the nation’s iconic red-and-white flag. But across the country, another banner is dominating the streets, balconies, and even car windows, the Jolly Roger pirate flag from the Japanese anime One Piece.
From National Pride to Pirate Symbolism
The sudden popularity of this skull-and-crossbones emblem, complete with the anime’s signature yellow straw hat, is not just a nod to pop culture. It has become a symbol of rebellion for thousands of Indonesians, especially students and young activists, frustrated by budget cuts, rising unemployment, and what they see as growing military influence in civilian life.
The Birth of the “One Piece” Protest
The movement reportedly began earlier this year during the “Dark Indonesia” student protests, where the flag appeared both online and in public murals. Artist Kemas Muhammad Firdaus, 28, from West Java, says he paints the emblem to highlight corruption and economic inequality.
“Many Indonesians are hoisting the ‘One Piece’ flag because they want the government to listen,” he told Reuters.
In Central Java, flag-maker Dendi Christanto says demand for the pirate flag has surged so much in the past month that he’s had to stop taking orders altogether.
A History of Student-Led Resistance
Indonesia has a long tradition of student activism influencing political change, most notably in 1998, when mass demonstrations ended Suharto’s 32-year rule. The current pirate flag wave is being compared to such historic moments, though the government is far less amused this time.
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Government Crackdown and Backlash
Authorities in East Java have already confiscated several One Piece flags, a move Amnesty International has called “excessive.”
Security Minister Budi Gunawan has warned that flying the pirate flag before Independence Day is a crime, claiming it “disrespects the national flag” and violates state symbol protection laws.
Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad went further, calling the trend a “systematic attempt to divide unity” and appealing for citizens to “fight against such things.”
“It’s Just Art”—Voices of Dissent
Activists and academics argue that the crackdown is a misinterpretation of the public’s message. “They didn’t have to do all that, accusing them of dividing Indonesia—that’s wrong,” said Kemas. “It’s just art.”
Sociology lecturer Ubedilah Badrun of Jakarta State University says the flag is a symbolic expression of dissatisfaction, not treason. “Any symbol that emerges massively in public arenas is an expression of citizens to convey something,” he told Tempo.
Pop Culture Meets Politics
For many young Indonesians, One Piece is more than just entertainment. Its story of pirates fighting authoritarian forces resonates deeply with those feeling powerless against political elites.
As student Farhan Rizqullah wrote:
“Now, a real-world government, the world’s third-largest democracy, is treating this cartoon emblem as a threat to national security.”
Whether the Straw Hat Pirates will continue to sail through Indonesia’s protest landscape after Independence Day remains uncertain—but their impact on the country’s political conversation is already undeniable.
