The phenomenon of raising flags from the Japanese manga and anime series One Piece ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia has been occurring in various regions. Instead of the Indonesian national flag, some people have been erecting the Jolly Roger pirate flag from the anime series on their houses and vehicles.
In addition to raising the flag, some individuals have also been drawing the skull logo from One Piece on walls and streets in residential areas.
Various measures have been taken by local authorities to encourage their residents to raise the Indonesian national flag instead of other flags during this independence month.
East Java Governor Issues Circular on Raising the Indonesian National Flag
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has urged the people in her region not to raise the One Piece flag alongside the Indonesian national flag ahead of August 17, 2025.
"It's not just for children but for everyone, I urge (that the flag of) One Piece not be raised during this independence month," Khofifah said after visiting the Al-Maarif Educational Foundation, Singosari District, Malang Regency, on Saturday, August 9, 3035, as quoted from Antara.
Khofifah stated that the commemoration of Indonesia's independence should be a moment to strengthen the spirit of nationalism among all citizens, especially those in East Java. The spirit of nationalism, she said, is also demonstrated by raising the Indonesian national flag and this needs to be prioritized.
With the collective raising of the Indonesian national flag, she believed that the spirit of independence and unity will live in the hearts of the people. Therefore, Khofifah reiterated that all residents of East Java should not raise the One Piece flag. "Especially when it is raised alongside the Indonesian national flag," she added.
Previously in Surabaya, Khofifah urged her residents to raise the Indonesian national flag instead of the One Piece flag. According to her, this act is a form of respect during the independence month. "The Indonesian national flag is non-negotiable. So please show respect, this is the independence month. Therefore, the raised flag should be the Indonesian national flag," Khofifah said on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Khofifah also admitted to having issued a Circular to 38 regencies/cities to encourage residents to raise the Indonesian national flag throughout August. In addition, she always provides the red and white flag during her field visits.
According to Khofifah, the flag is always distributed to the residents. Her hope is that the residents will collectively raise the Indonesian national flag without facing difficulties in obtaining it.
Bangka Belitung Islands Government Will Take Action Against Residents Raising One Piece Flags
The Government of the Bangka Belitung Islands has prohibited residents from raising the One Piece flag ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesia's independence in the region.
"We ask the residents not to raise the One Piece flag," Acting Head of the Office of National Unity and Politics (Kesbangpol) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Ferdiyan, said in Pangkalpinang on Monday, August 4, 2025.
He stated that ahead of August 17, all residents of Bangka Belitung should raise the Indonesian national flag as a form of tribute to the heroes and fighters who have fought for Indonesia's independence.
"At present, the phenomenon of raising the One Piece flag on social media is prevalent, so this condition could influence the community to follow suit and raise this flag," he said.
To anticipate the raising of flags from the Japanese manga series, the Kesbangpol Office in collaboration with the Regional Police (Polda) of the Bangka Belitung Islands will monitor and regulate these flags.
"Together with the police, we will regulate these One Piece flags and investigate the intentions of the community in hoisting these flags, whether there are certain political aspects or others that will undermine national unity," he said.
Ferdiyan added that if there are threats to national unity, action will be taken in accordance with the law. "Ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia's independence, the community should only raise the Indonesian national flag and not raise any other flags. Those who raise flags other than the Indonesian national flag will be examined by law enforcement officers," he stated.
Cirebon Regent Instructs Regional Apparatus Organizations to Raise the Indonesian National Flag
The Cirebon Regency Government in West Java has urged the community to raise the Indonesian national flag collectively throughout August 2025 as a form of respect for the efforts of the heroes ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia.
Cirebon Regent Imron said that hoisting symbols other than the Indonesian national flag, such as the pirate flag (Jolly Roger) from the One Piece animated series, which is currently viral, should not be done in the region.
"The Indonesian national flag is a symbol of unity and the nation's struggle. Let's raise it together as a form of respect for the heroes who have sacrificed their lives for Indonesia," he said in Cirebon on Saturday, August 9, 2025.
He urged all residents to welcome independence with a sense of nationalism, rather than just following social media trends that could obscure the meaning of the nation's struggle. The commemoration of August 17, he said, is a moment of unity and an opportunity to instill the values of nationalism from an early age to the younger generation through proper national symbols.
He has also instructed all Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) to raise the Indonesian national flag in the Cirebon Regency.
Mataram City Government Asks Residents to Report the Presence of One Piece Flags
The Mataram City Government has asked the community to immediately report if they find One Piece flags displayed in their surroundings.
"This is a precautionary measure against a viral phenomenon whose motives are as yet unclear. If a resident finds (an One Piece flag), please report it to us immediately," said the Head of the Office of Cooperation and Political Information of Mataram City, Zarkasyi, in Mataram, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
So far, he said, no One Piece flags have been detected in Mataram City. However, they are closely monitoring this phenomenon, which has become a national issue.
According to him, the results of the monitoring by the Cooperation and Political Information Office together with the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and the Mataram City Police, have not found any signs of One Piece flags being displayed by residents, whether in houses, public facilities, or vehicles, both in and outside the area.
They have also not been able to determine the motives behind displaying these flags. However, if the intention is not in line with the spirit of nationalism, the Mataram City Government will take firm action against residents who display them. "If the motive is negative, we certainly do not agree," he said.
Thus, in anticipation of the displaying of One Piece flags, they have urged sub-district heads and community leaders to monitor their respective areas. "If there are findings, we will immediately remove these flags," he said.
The removal of flags will be carried out by the government to prevent potential political conflicts in the community. "So, residents may report if they find any One Piece flags displayed, so we can immediately remove them," he said.
The Office of Cooperation and Political Information of Mataram City is also actively campaigning for the distribution of 10 million Indonesian national flags to cultivate a sense of nationalism among the people. "According to the circular that has been distributed, we urge residents to display the Indonesian national flag from August 1 to August 31 as part of the Indonesian independence celebrations," Zarkasyi said.
Hanaa Septiana and Antara contributed to the writing of this article.
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