Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta.  State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said the government will only take action over the flying of the fictional One Piece pirate flag if it is used to discourage citizens from raising the Indonesian Red and White flag ahead of the country’s 80th Independence Day.

“If there’s enforcement, it will only target those attempting to shift the meaning of this expression, for example, urging others to fly that flag instead of the national flag,” he said on Monday (4/8/2025), as quoted by antaranews.com.

State Secretary Prasetyo emphasized the Red and White is a sacred national symbol that must be respected.

“On Independence Day, let’s embrace unity, optimism, and mutual cooperation,” he urged.

Responding to claims that the pirate flag reflects public disappointment, he stressed the government prefers resolving issues through open dialogue.

“This is our new approach. The government, parliament, and society are sitting together to solve problems,” he said.

The black pirate flag with a smiling skull in a straw hat has recently appeared in various cities across Indonesia.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)