English 
Bengali 
As Indonesia approaches its 80th Independence Day, a new form of protest has emerged,unexpectedly rooted in pop culture. Citizens across the nation have begun raising the Jolly Roger flag from the anime One Piece, using it not as decoration but as a powerful symbol of dissent against rising authoritarianism.
The Anime Flag as Protest: A Symbol of Freedom
In One Piece, the Jolly Roger,marked by a skull with a straw hat,is a pirate flag raised by Luffy and his crew as they fight oppressive forces and seek freedom. In Indonesia, that same flag is now flying above homes, motorcycles, and storefronts. For many, it’s a creative and nonviolent symbol of frustration with the government. Its rising presence on social media, murals, and merchandise shows how a fictional world can reflect real societal grievances.
Political Climate Behind the Resistance
The wave of symbolic rebellion was triggered by President Prabowo Subianto’s call for citizens to raise the national red-and-white flag in July as a gesture of unity. However, many Indonesians,especially the youth and working-class communities,interpreted it as hollow nationalism, masking deeper issues like inequality, militarisation, and democratic erosion.
Protests had already erupted earlier in the year over budget cuts and military influence in civilian governance. Prabowo’s own controversial military past, including accusations of human rights violations, has further strained public trust.
For many citizens, the red-and-white flag has come to feel less like a symbol of freedom and more like one of compliance. The Jolly Roger, by contrast, speaks of rebellion, collective identity, and the hope for justice,mirroring the values of the anime’s heroes.
Government Conditions and Mixed Reactions
The government’s response to the flag has been fragmented, with reactions ranging from cautious acceptance to threats of criminal charges. While President Prabowo’s office acknowledged the flag as a form of “creative expression,” several lawmakers condemned it as divisive and potentially treasonous.
Current Government Conditions:
- The national flag must fly higher than any fictional or alternative symbols, per Law No. 24/2009.
- Flying the Jolly Roger alongside or above the red-and-white flag is discouraged and may face legal consequences.
- Police are monitoring public spaces and online posts for “non-national” symbols, especially during August.
- Some regions like Banten and Central Jakarta have taken stricter stances, issuing warnings and seizing flags.
- Others, like Bali, have shown tolerance, calling it harmless as long as national protocols are respected.
What the Flag Means to Indonesians Today
To many Indonesians, particularly younger citizens and anime fans, the Jolly Roger is no longer just a pop culture reference,it’s a coded message of resistance, a way to demand better governance without violence. It speaks to the widening gap between the people and the ruling elite.
In choosing a cartoon pirate flag over their own national banner, protesters are not rejecting Indonesia,but expressing a deep yearning for a version of it that still lives up to the promise of freedom, fairness, and democracy.
The growing popularity of the flag highlights how symbolism can challenge authority, particularly in an era where direct dissent feels increasingly risky. As the Independence Day approaches, the Jolly Roger may continue flying,not in defiance of the nation itself, but in hope of reclaiming it.
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