Indonesia warns ban of ‘One Piece’ flag, seen as symbol of protest vs President Prabowo
Indonesia is cracking down on the public display of a pirate flag from the Japanese anime series One Piece, which has emerged as an emblem of political dissent.
The Jolly Roger skull-and-bones design with a straw hat, featured in the series, has been increasingly spotted on trucks, cars and homes.
Officials have warned that the flag, viewed by some as a protest against President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, must not be flown alongside the red-and-white Merah Putih national flag.
Bengawan Aryanto, a 58-year-old entrepreneur, voiced support for the movement.
“I actually wanted to join in. But I had a lot to think about. Still, I think it’s good, it’s creative. And if I get the chance, I’ll wear a One Piece t-shirt, drink One Piece coffee, and even raise the One Piece flag as a form of protest against the government, which isn’t doing well right now,” he said.
Amnesty International Indonesia has questioned the legal basis for banning the flag.
“Has he incited hatred based on religion, ethnicity, race, intergroup relations, national origin or sexual orientation? Is he inciting discrimination on these grounds? Is he propagating a war? For example, of a state or an armed group? If not, then it cannot be banned,” said Usman Hamid, its executive director.
Hamid also noted symbolic parallels between the One Piece flag and Indonesia’s own.
“If we connect it with Indonesia’s independence, on August 17, the spirit of One Piece is the same as that of the Merah Putih: fighting oppression, declaring independence and freedom, and striving for justice and the removal of all restraints,” he said.
The One Piece manga, created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, follows the adventures of a band of pirates in search of a legendary treasure. It has become one of the best-selling comics of all time and has a massive global fan base, with its Jolly Roger emblem recognised worldwide.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
