Latest news with #GolkarParty
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Japanese manga One Piece's ‘Jolly Roger' flag becomes a real-life protest symbol in Indonesia; take a look
Over the past month, a familiar skull-and-crossbones motif from a Japanese anime has appeared across Indonesia — not in cosplay conventions, but in the streets, on car windows, and painted on alley walls. The pirate emblem from popular anime One Piece, carried by the show's protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, has been repurposed as a rebellious symbol in the world's third-largest democracy, rallying against government policies just weeks before their Independence Day on August 17. One Piece's 'Jolly Roger' flag has turned into a real-life protest symbol The flood of flags came after President Prabowo Subianto urged Indonesians to proudly raise the national red and white flag ahead of Independence Day. Instead, some have opted for Luffy's banner — a decision many see as a direct challenge to the state, a sign of discontent with what is said to be an increasingly centralised government. In February, thousands of Indonesians took to the streets to protest against budget cuts and legislative changes to allow the military a bigger role in government A movement under scrutiny Not everyone has embraced the pirate banner. Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, widely seen as one of Prabowo's closest allies, denounced the displays. 'We must collectively resist such actions,' he had said earlier last week. Member of the People's Representative Council of the Republic of Indonesia, Firman Soebagyo of the Golkar Party, went even further, suggesting that flying the flag could amount to treason. Yet the president's office has taken a softer stance. On Tuesday, State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the president had 'no objection' to the flags as a form of 'creative expression.' His office said in a statement, 'However, it should not be used to challenge or diminish the significance of the red and white flag. The two should not be placed side by side in a way that invites comparison or conflict.' Online, the movement has found fertile ground. Netizens have embraced the imagery, sharing photos of the flag and dissecting its layered meaning. Posts spread not only the visual symbol, but also the political undertones behind raising it — turning the Jolly Roger into a viral emblem of dissent. Why the Jolly Roger resonates One Piece, created by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, has become one of the most successful franchises in history, selling over 520 million manga copies and running for more than 1,100 anime episodes. Its appeal in Indonesia is immense, where anime fandom runs deep. In the series, Monkey D. Luffy's crew flies the Jolly Roger as a declaration of freedom and defiance against injustice. For some Indonesians, that symbolism cuts close to home. Many protestors draw a direct connection between the anime's themes and Indonesian citizens' fight for a true democratic state instead of the current facade. Whether the wave of pirate flags fades after August 17 or continues as a form of protest, remains to be seen. But in spite of what happens in the future, it's clear that One Piece has sailed far beyond entertainment in Indonesia. Here, Luffy's banner is no longer just a fictional icon, it's a statement of rebellion — a purpose most art yearns to serve.
The Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Bali mulls legalising cockfighting
Far off Bali's tourist trail, heavily tattooed men gather at a clandestine site for traditional cockfighting known as tajen that meshes a bloodsport with ancient Balinese Hindu traditions. - AFP DENPASAR, Bali: Deputy speaker of the Bali Legislative Council, I Wayan Disel Astawa, has supported and welcomed the suggestion by some councillors that tajen (cockfighting) be legalised because the activity could bring about economic benefits for Bali. 'There are great benefits for development in Bali, just like Jakarta in the past, before the city had toll roads. Through casinos, the city started to develop all over,' Astawa said after a council plenary meeting in Denpasar on Monday (June 23). He said Bali wanted to enjoy similar development benefits to Jakarta by using tajen. 'Concerning tajen, look at when Ali Sadikin was Jakarta governor, he had the courage to build casinos,' he said. 'Why can't Bali do the same? We have a cultural attraction as the genius loci.' In addition to the secular tajen, which is often associated with gambling activities, Balinese Hindus also perform religious cockfighting, known as tabuh rah as a blood offering. It is believed that tabuh rah was introduced into Bali by Majapahit exiles who fled from Java to Bali in the 1200s. Astawa said that legalising tajen could reduce crime, although currently the matter was still being studied, referring to an incident at a cockfighting arena in Songan A village, Kintamani, Bangli regency, that left one man dead. 'In my opinion, it is just commonsense [to legalise tajen] rather than the current status, where cockfighting is illegal but it still exists,' he said. 'If we legalise tajen, crime will be reduced.' When asked about tajen arenas run by the public and tied to gambling, Astawa said the council would first consult the central government and check whether there were restrictive regulations. 'Yes, we will seek permission from the central government because of the Criminal Code, whether it is possible, we can be open and discuss this.' The Criminal Code bans all forms of gambling and bans cruelty and violence against animals, which could include cockfighting, despite not specifically referring to the activity. Previously, several Bali Legislative Council members suggested legalising tajen as a form of cultural tourism. Councillor Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih from the Golkar Party is one of those who support the legalisation of tajen. He said tajen was part of the Balinese culture but remained in a legal grey area. 'There are certainly reasons to legaliSe tajen, mostly because tajen is part of Balinese culture,' he said on Sunday, as quoted by 'Many who place bets are actually making donations for [religious] ceremonies.' Pratiksa said the absence of regulation meant tajen was abused by certain people for their own personal benefits. He added that legaliSing tajen would have a positive impact on society. 'I believe instead of being misused by irresponsible people, it is better to return the proceeds to the public in the form of regional revenues and grants to the public, so that the entire community can benefit,' he said. Meanwhile, Bali Governor Wayan Koster strongly rejected the idea of legalizing tajen, saying it was not a simple matter and needed to be studied carefully. 'Don't [legalise tajen just yet]. We must thoroughly study it,' he said on Saturday, as quoted by - The Jakarta Post/ANN
