The "Skull Flag" Becomes a Symbol of Resistance Against the Government
Spread Nationwide After Being Raised by Truck Drivers
In Indonesia, the pirate flag from the popular Japanese animation "One Piece" has emerged as a symbol of resistance against the government.
On August 8 (local time), foreign media outlets such as the BBC reported that this flag has recently been hoisted across Indonesia. According to these reports, the display of the pirate flag began earlier this summer among some truck drivers and then spread both online and offline. As a result, pirate flags can now be seen flying on trucks, cars, and homes in various regions.
This skull-shaped flag is used by the main character, Luffy, for his pirate crew in "One Piece," and symbolizes resistance against an authoritarian world government. Reflecting this meaning of resistance, the pirate flag has established itself in Indonesia as a symbol of freedom and defiance.
An Indonesian youth is painting a mural depicting the pirate flag from the popular Japanese animation "One Piece" on the 7th in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
The nationwide spread of the pirate flag accelerated after Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto called on citizens to display the Indonesian national flag, "Sang Saka Merah Putih," ahead of Indonesia's Independence Day on the 17th.
Last month, President Prabowo stated, "Please hoist the Sang Saka Merah Putih wherever you are," explaining, "The red symbolizes the blood shed for independence, and the white represents the purity of our souls." However, Indonesians harboring resentment toward the government began to display the One Piece pirate flag instead of the national flag as an act of protest. As a result, there has been a surge in orders for the flag.
The Indonesian government has openly expressed its opposition to the pirate flag movement. Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and known as the right-hand man of the Indonesian president, criticized the movement as "an organized attempt to divide the nation." He added, "We must collectively resist such actions." Another lawmaker from the center-right Golkar Party, Firman Soebagyo, stated that flying the pirate flag could even be considered an act of treason.
There are no laws in Indonesia restricting the display of fictional flags. However, there is a regulation that, when a fictional flag is flown together with the national flag, the national flag must always be displayed higher. In addition, Jakarta police stated, "We are monitoring the use of non-national flags and symbols, including pirate or fictional flags, that do not align with the spirit of nationalism."
First published as a manga by Eiichiro Oda in 1997, "One Piece" has sold more than 520 million comic books worldwide. Its TV series has aired over 1,100 episodes and is still ongoing.
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