In Indonesien entwickelte sich die zunächst spaßeshalber verwendete Flagge aus einem Animationsfilm zu einem Politikum. Sicherheitskräfte und Politiker sehen in dem Zeigen der Flagge, kurz vor dem Unabhängigkeitstag am 17 August, ein Verletzung der Würde der indonesischen Flagge oder sogar „Verrat“ oder einen Spaltungsversuch.
In Reaktion auf diese exzessiven Einschätzungen trendet die Piratenflagge und wird tatsächlich für viele zum Symbol der Unzufriedenheit. Amnesty erinnert in dem Zusammenhang an das Recht auf Meinungsfreiheit, das diese Aktionen natürlich schützt.
nd raids and intimidation against people flying the ‚One Piece‘ flag
Amnesty International Indonesia Statement – August 4, 2025
Responding to the raids and the stance taken by the authorities over the phenomenon of the raising pirate flags based on the „One Piece“ animate film series by the public, Amnesty International Indonesia Executive Director Usman Hamid said:
„The government and authorities‘ response to the phenomena of flying the One Piece flag in public ahead of the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence, especially when accompanied by threats of criminal penalties, is excessive. Raising the One Piece flag as a means of expressing criticism is part of the right to freedom of expression and opinion, guaranteed by the Constitution and other international instruments ratified by the Republic of Indonesia.
„Peaceful expression through flag-raising is not makar (treason, subversion, rebellion), let alone an attempt to divide the nation. Repression through raids or confiscation of One Piece flags in the community, as has occurred in Tuban and the removal of a One Piece mural in Sragen in Central Java, is clearly a violation of freedom of expression aimed at intimidating and instilling fear in the community. The state must not be anti-criticism.
„Instead of repressing freedom of expression through raids, the government should focus more on resolving the root causes of public unrest, which led to the choice of flying the One Piece flag.
„The government should not be anti-criticism and should stop making exaggerated statements about the phenomenon of freedom of expression in society, especially when accompanied by threats of criminal sanctions. Officials should view this phenomenon as part of freedom of expression.
„As a state party to various international human rights instruments, including the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), Indonesia is obliged to protect and provide a safe space for the public to express their opinions peacefully.
„The protection of the right to freedom of expression as stipulated under Article 19 of the ICCPR applies to all types of information and ideas, including information and ideas that are considered shocking, offensive or disturbing, regardless of whether the content of the information or ideas is true or false. The state should be present to protect, not allow — let alone play a role in — the silencing of legitimate critical voices of citizens.“
Background
The media has reported that a youth with the initials AR in Kerek subdistrict in Tuban regency, East Java, was visited by a number of officials last Saturday, August 2, including officers from the Sectoral Police (Polsek), officers from the Sub-District Military Command (Koramil), District Military Command (Kodim) intelligence officers and local civil service police (Pol PP), after uploading a photo saluting a pirate flag that was installed near his house last Friday, August 1.
In the popular Japanese anime series „One Piece“, a black flag called the Jolly Roger depicts a skull wearing a straw hat between two intersecting bones.
AR uploaded the photo to his WhatsApp status, but later that evening, he took the flag down after someone reported it. The next day, he was visited by a team of law enforcement officers.
The head of the Kerek Sectoral Police, Kastur, has confirmed to the media that a joint team of officers visited the youth’s house to ask for clarification from the person concerned regarding the raising and saluting of the flag.
Kastur subsequently announced that the case would not be pursued further after the youth admitted he was just having fun because of the widespread news of the One Piece flag being raised on social media. Although no arrest was made, officers confiscated the 40×50 cm flag and confirmed that the photo had been deleted from AR’s phone and WhatsApp status.
In Sragen, Central Java, police and military personnel reportedly supervised the removal of a mural depicting One Piece anime characters from a village street on Sunday August 3. A resident, who declined to be named, told the media that the mural was removed under the direction of TNI (Indonesian Military) and Polri (Indonesian Police) personnel who arrived at the scene.
On Saturday last week (August 2) in Tangerang City, the deputy chief of the Banten Regional Police, Hengki, stated that police would take firm action against residents who deliberately raised the One Piece flag during the 80th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. He did not elaborate on what action the authorities would take regarding the flag raising.
Prior to this, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Budi Gunawan stated on Friday August 1 that the raising of the One Piece flag ahead of Independence Day on August 17 constituted a criminal offense because it has been deemed to violate the honour of the Indonesian national flag. Therefore, he continued, the government would take legal action, although he did not elaborate further on this.
Meanwhile, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, said there is an attempt to sow division in the country through the display of the One Piece flag. Then, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said on Sunday August 3 that the state could ban the raising of the One Piece flag because it was considered a violation of the law and a form of makar.
Since last weekend, people on social media have been busy discussing photos and narratives about installing the „One Piece“ anomie version of the Jolly Roger flag on houses and vehicles in various parts of the country ahead of Indonesia’s 80th Independence Day on August 17.
Observers have stated that the raising of the „One Piece“ Jolly Roger, which is currently trending on social media, should be seen as an expression of public disappointment and criticism of the government and social conditions. This is because in the „One Piece“ anime, the Jolly Roger flag is seen as a form of resistance against absolute power and oppression.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was „Hentikan razia dan intimidasi warga pengibar bendera ‚One Piece'“.]