Several Indonesian lawmakers have denounced the recent trend of flying a flag from the One Piece series across the country, calling it a provocative act that threatens national unity. They issued this statement in response to the viral trend on social media of flying the flag of the Strawhat Pirates from the One Piece in the lead-up to the country’s Independence Day on 17 August.
Firman Soebagyo, Deputy Chairman of the Golkar faction in the Indonesian People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), strongly condemned the act, calling it provocative and a possible act of treason.
“This is a provocation to overthrow the government. It could also be seen as an act of treason. We must firmly deal with it.” Firman said on Thursday (31/7).
Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, echoed the concern, describing the movement as “a systematic effort to divide the nation”. He attributed the trend to groups dissatisfied with the current administration.
“There are many who do not want Indonesia to progress,” Dasco stated on Thursday (31/7). “We are currently experiencing rapid progress, and of course, some like it, some dislike it.” he added.
The Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 24 of 2009 on the National Flag, Language, Emblem, and Anthem does instruct citizens to fly the Red and White National Flag “on houses, buildings or offices, educational units, public and private forms of transportation” where they have the right to on 17 August to honour the nation’s independence. However, this year, amid growing public dissatisfaction with the government, some Indonesians have turned to flying the Strawhats Pirates’ flag from One Piece ahead of the date of the celebration as a symbol of protest.
At the time of writing, it is still unclear who started this trend. However, the movement quickly gained traction on social media, with many users sharing the flag as a form of political commentary. Some Indonesian netizens are also comparing the country’s political climate to that of One Piece’s world, framing the Indonesian government as an analogue to the oppressive regime in the series.
Dasco later clarified his statement. “There’s no need for a narrative that discredits One Piece fans as treasonous, or (this trend) as an attempt to overthrow the government.” he clarified on Friday (1/8).
In a separate occasion, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Budi Gunawan stated that there are legal consequences for this action, if the Indonesian flag is raised lower than the flag from One Piece.
“As stated by Law Number 24 of 2009 Article 24 paragraph (1), ‘Everyone is prohibited from flying the National Flag under any flag or symbol’ [sic, recte Article 21 paragraph (2): the National Flag as meant in paragraph (1) is to be made bigger and placed higher than the flag or banner of the organization.]. This is our effort to protect the dignity and symbols of the state.” Budi said on Friday (1/8).
On Saturday (2/8), the General Chairman of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Muhammad Isnur, responded that this trend is simply a way for Indonesians to express their dissatisfaction with the Government. He stated that the government is overreacting, and their overreaction actually makes the situation worse.
“Vice President Gibran has worn a One Piece brooch during his campaign.” Isnur spoke on Kompas TV. “(Former presidential candidate) Anies Baswedan also brought the symbol to his campaign. Among anime fans, this is a symbol of common struggle.”
“When the government suddenly overreacts, people are now asking questions. ‘What happened?’, ‘Why are they terrified?’ instead of responding normally. It makes the situation worse because initially, people are responding normally.” he added.
The Indonesian Anime Times | Source: Kumparan and Kompas TV
