Introduction to the Protest
In the popular Japanese anime "One Piece", black flags with a skull and a straw hat are worn by a loud pirate crew that made it their mission to challenge a draconian regime and fight for freedom. Recently, these emblems appeared all over Indonesia, along doors, painted on the back of cars, and on walls. For many, it was a reaction to the call of Indonesian leaders to fly their national red and white flag on August 17 before the country’s independence day. Instead, many decided to raise these pirate flags, known as the Jolly Roger, as a symbol of their dissatisfaction.
The Symbolism of the Jolly Roger
The series "One Piece" has a large and dedicated fan base in Indonesia, where the Japanese anime is extremely popular. The manga has sold over 520 million copies, while the TV series has aired more than 1,100 episodes. In the same way that the pirates in the series, led by their leader Monkey D Luffy, raise the Jolly Roger as a symbol of freedom against their government, some Indonesian residents say that raising the flag is a symbol that "we love this country, but do not agree with its guidelines". The anime reflects the injustice and inequality that Indonesians experience, said Ali Maulana, a resident of Jayapura City in the province of Papua.
The Government’s Reaction
The decision to fly the flag was an answer to a speech by President Prabowo at the end of July, in which he called on Indonesians to fly their national red and white flag. However, some top officials were less than impressed with the Jolly Roger movement. The deputy house spokesman, Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, described the movement as "a coordinated attempt to divide the nation". Another legislator from the Golkar Party, Firman Soebagyo, suggested that displaying these flags could even constitute treason. On the other hand, the state secretary, Prasetyo Hadi, said that the president himself "had no objection to the flags as a ‘creative expression’".
The Significance of the Protest
The hard-fought democracy of Indonesia, the third largest in the world, has been under threat in recent years. The public frustration has worsened since President Prabowo took over last October. In February, thousands took to the streets to protest against budget cuts and legislative changes that would enable the military to play a larger role in the government. The Jolly Roger flags have given people the opportunity to "raise awareness of political issues in a different and unique way", said Dominique Nicky Fahrizal, researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. For some Indonesians, the government’s mixed reaction to the Jolly Roger underlines the power of the symbol.
A Cartoon Flag as a Threat to National Security
By treating a cartoon flag as a threat to national security, the government has accidentally confirmed the entire premise of the protest. The dream of Monkey D Luffy, the simple, unshakable desire to be free, is the only thing that the government really fears. The Jolly Roger flags have become a symbol of resistance against the increasingly centralized government, and the government’s reaction has only served to fuel the protest. As one user on Instagram wrote, "The red and white flags are too sacred to raise now". The Jolly Roger flags have become a way for people to convey their expectations and express their dissatisfaction with the government.
