One Piece's pirate flag becomes a symbol of political dissent in Indonesia
The One Piece flag is seeing rising demand in Indonesia despite stricter enforcement by the authorities. - Agency photo
JAKARTA – The flag from the Japanese anime One Piece has taken on a new political role in Indonesia, becoming a widely recognised symbol of public dissent ahead of the country's Independence Day on Aug 17.
Featuring a skull wearing a straw hat over crossed bones, the Jolly Roger flag is now seen everywhere, especially among the younger generation. The One Piece fiction series tells the story of Monkey D Luffy and his pirate crew exploring a fantasy world in search of treasure. - Agency photo
Social media users say the symbol is chosen for its representation of bravery and opposition to oppression.
President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed concerns of division, calling the trend "an expression of creativity."
This came after State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi permitted the symbol's use, as long as it does not challenge the national flag.
The hit series One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in their quest for treasure and freedom while resisting a draconian government.
For local mural artist Radinal Muhtar, the connection is clear. The Hunger Games' three-finger salute was once used to criticise Thailand's monarchy. - Agency photo
'Luffy and his friends seek freedom and resist a draconian government that is above the law,' he said.
Muhtar painted the Jolly Roger on his car, saying it attracts less attention from authorities than flying a physical flag, which has gone viral online.
'This trend represents the voice of the people concerned about the unstable economy, difficulties in finding job opportunities, and government policies that harm the public,' he said.
Airlangga University sociologist Professor Bagong Suyanto described the One Piece flag wave as a 'mass movement' uniting people across age and social divides.
'These groups believe government policies are sidelining their interests. Flying the flag, including on social media platforms, is actually a form of creativity,' he said.
The trend follows last year's viral hashtag #IndonesiaGelap, when many Indonesians expressed concern for the nation's future, with some young people considering migration for better opportunities.
Pop Culture References in Protests
Indonesia's youth are not alone in using pop culture symbols to voice political discontent.
In 2020, for example, Thai students adopted The Hunger Games' three-finger salute as a direct critique of the monarchy. Wearing Harry Potter costumes to convey the meaning of 'He Who Shall Not be Named' served as a veiled jab at the King of Thailand. - Agency photo
Protesters also donned Harry Potter costumes to reference 'He Who Shall Not be Named,' a veiled criticism of the King of Thailand, while others rallied under the image of Hamtaro, the Japanese manga hamster.
Suyanto believes these satirical and indirect protest methods are not only safer but also more impactful.
'I see this approach as more effective because it gets a response from political elites. They don't have to go to the streets or engage in confrontations with the authorities like in typical demonstrations,' he said.
Trisakti University criminal law expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar agreed that the One Piece flag protest is lawful.
'There is no law prohibiting the flying of fictional-themed flags. Every citizen has the right to display any flag, banner or symbol unless the court issues a specific ban,' he said.
Indonesia, however, has previously banned flags linked to rebel movements, terrorist groups and communist ideology.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court on Wednesday found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year. Kamimura, 26, is a former member of the boy band ONE N'ONLY, which expelled him shortly after the allegation. Fans queued to get into court for hours before the hearing, and some broke down in tears upon learning Kamimura had been convicted. The court heard Kamimura touched the woman's thighs multiple times despite her objections, and invited her to go to the bathroom with him. Magistrate Peter Yu found he had assaulted her, adding his behaviour "clearly shows disrespect for women." The incident took place in March during a celebratory dinner, after a fan meet for which the woman had been working as an interpreter for Kamimura and others. The Japanese star was fined HK$15,000 (US$1,900). Kamimura, who is also known as an actor in the Japanese drama "Our Youth", hugged his court translator upon hearing he would be fined without facing jail time, media reports said. Kamimura got "what he deserved", Yu said, adding that "had the victim not refused to remain silent and courageously come forward, she would have suffered an unpleasant experience in silence." But ardent fans inside and outside the court were in tears. Chen, a 30-year-old screenwriter and fan who gave only her last name, said she had come from northern China to watch the court session. She told AFP before the verdict that the trial has had a negative impact on Kamimura's image, and had incited "public outbursts of vitriol against the artist."
The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
Japanese star convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong
J-pop performer Kenshin Kamimura leaves the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts after being convicted of indecent assault in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. - Photo: AP HONG KONG: A Hong Kong court on Wednesday (Aug 13) found J-pop artist Kenshin Kamimura guilty of indecent assault after he harassed a woman working as his interpreter at a restaurant earlier this year. Kamimura, 26, is a former member of the boy band ONE N'ONLY, which expelled him shortly after the allegation. Fans queued to get into court for hours before the hearing, and some broke down in tears upon learning Kamimura had been convicted. The court heard Kamimura touched the woman's thighs multiple times despite her objections, and invited her to go to the bathroom with him. Magistrate Peter Yu found he had assaulted her, adding his behaviour "clearly shows disrespect for women". The incident took place in March during a celebratory dinner, after a fan meet for which the woman had been working as an interpreter for Kamimura and others. The Japanese star was fined HK$15,000 (US$1,900). Kamimura, who is also known as an actor in the Japanese drama "Our Youth", hugged his court translator upon hearing he would be fined without facing jail time, media reports said. Kamimura got "what he deserved", Yu said, adding that "had the victim not refused to remain silent and courageously come forward, she would have suffered an unpleasant experience in silence". But ardent fans inside and outside the court were in tears. Chan, a 30-year-old screenwriter and fan who gave only her last name, said she had come from northern China to watch the court session. She told AFP before the verdict that the trial has had a negative impact on Kamimura's image, and had incited "public outbursts of vitriol against the artist". - AFP
Sinar Daily
17 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
One Piece's pirate flag becomes a symbol of political dissent in Indonesia
Featuring a skull wearing a straw hat over crossed bones, the Jolly Roger flag is now seen everywhere, especially among the younger generation. The One Piece flag is seeing rising demand in Indonesia despite stricter enforcement by the authorities. - Agency photo JAKARTA – The flag from the Japanese anime One Piece has taken on a new political role in Indonesia, becoming a widely recognised symbol of public dissent ahead of the country's Independence Day on Aug 17. Featuring a skull wearing a straw hat over crossed bones, the Jolly Roger flag is now seen everywhere, especially among the younger generation. The One Piece fiction series tells the story of Monkey D Luffy and his pirate crew exploring a fantasy world in search of treasure. - Agency photo Social media users say the symbol is chosen for its representation of bravery and opposition to oppression. President Prabowo Subianto has dismissed concerns of division, calling the trend "an expression of creativity." This came after State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi permitted the symbol's use, as long as it does not challenge the national flag. The hit series One Piece follows Monkey D. Luffy and his pirate crew in their quest for treasure and freedom while resisting a draconian government. For local mural artist Radinal Muhtar, the connection is clear. The Hunger Games' three-finger salute was once used to criticise Thailand's monarchy. - Agency photo 'Luffy and his friends seek freedom and resist a draconian government that is above the law,' he said. Muhtar painted the Jolly Roger on his car, saying it attracts less attention from authorities than flying a physical flag, which has gone viral online. 'This trend represents the voice of the people concerned about the unstable economy, difficulties in finding job opportunities, and government policies that harm the public,' he said. Airlangga University sociologist Professor Bagong Suyanto described the One Piece flag wave as a 'mass movement' uniting people across age and social divides. 'These groups believe government policies are sidelining their interests. Flying the flag, including on social media platforms, is actually a form of creativity,' he said. The trend follows last year's viral hashtag #IndonesiaGelap, when many Indonesians expressed concern for the nation's future, with some young people considering migration for better opportunities. Pop Culture References in Protests Indonesia's youth are not alone in using pop culture symbols to voice political discontent. In 2020, for example, Thai students adopted The Hunger Games' three-finger salute as a direct critique of the monarchy. Wearing Harry Potter costumes to convey the meaning of 'He Who Shall Not be Named' served as a veiled jab at the King of Thailand. - Agency photo Protesters also donned Harry Potter costumes to reference 'He Who Shall Not be Named,' a veiled criticism of the King of Thailand, while others rallied under the image of Hamtaro, the Japanese manga hamster. Suyanto believes these satirical and indirect protest methods are not only safer but also more impactful. 'I see this approach as more effective because it gets a response from political elites. They don't have to go to the streets or engage in confrontations with the authorities like in typical demonstrations,' he said. Trisakti University criminal law expert Abdul Fickar Hadjar agreed that the One Piece flag protest is lawful. 'There is no law prohibiting the flying of fictional-themed flags. Every citizen has the right to display any flag, banner or symbol unless the court issues a specific ban,' he said. Indonesia, however, has previously banned flags linked to rebel movements, terrorist groups and communist ideology.
