Jakarta. The sudden emergence of One Piece pirate flags flying alongside Indonesia’s national flag across several regions has sparked political controversy just weeks ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day celebration on August 17.

Deputy House Speaker and Gerindra Party executive Sufmi Dasco Ahmad believes the hoisting of the anime flag is part of a “systematic movement” aimed at undermining national unity. “This is not a coincidence,” Dasco told reporters in Jakarta on Friday. “There is a coordinated attempt to divide the nation.”

Dasco said he had received reports from government and intelligence agencies regarding the flags, which went viral on social media platforms, particularly TikTok. The black flags bearing the Jolly Roger – a skull-and-crossbones symbol from the popular Japanese anime One Piece – were seen hoisted beside the Indonesian red-and-white flag in several viral videos.

The Jolly Roger of the Straw Hat Pirates, a fictional group from One Piece, symbolizes freedom, friendship, and resistance to oppression in the anime. 

He urged the public not to be provoked and called for unity in the face of what he described as a threat to national cohesion. “Let’s stand united. We must collectively resist such actions,” he said.

However, Dasco declined to clarify whether the movement originated domestically or from abroad. He implied, though, that some parties are unhappy with Indonesia’s progress. “Not everyone wants Indonesia to advance. As we grow, there will always be those who oppose it. Let’s unite and push back,” he added.

In contrast, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) offered a more moderate view. Party lawmaker Deddy Yevri Sitorus interpreted the trend as a form of symbolic protest rather than a political threat. Speaking in Bali on Thursday, he said, “This should be seen as a public expression of criticism, which is part of a democratic society.”

Deddy said that the flags do not represent criminal behavior and fall within the bounds of freedom of expression, as long as they are not flown higher than the national flag. “This kind of symbolic action is better than street protests that could turn violent,” he said.

Many online users initially assumed the act of flying non-national flags was illegal. However, Indonesian law does not explicitly ban the display of organizational or cultural symbols—such as the One Piece flag—on private property. The law only requires that the Indonesian national flag be given the highest position of honor when flown alongside others.