Indonesian Minister Claims One Piece Flag Ban Supported by UN

August 4, 2025 | 12:02 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai claimed that the government's decision to prohibit the public from hoisting the One Piece flag ahead of Independence Day will receive support from the United Nations (UN).

"The ban decision will receive support and appreciation from the international community, including the UN," he said in a written statement on Sunday, August 4, 2025.

Pigai stated that support for the ban was based on compliance with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which has been ratified by Indonesia through Law Number 12 of 2005. "The law provides space for the state to maintain national security and stability," he said.

He argued that the prohibition was not an attempt to limit the freedom of expression of citizens, but a form of preserving national symbols as a reflection of respect for the country. "The government's stance is in the interest of the nation's core or freedom of expression that can be limited by the state," he said.

Therefore, he emphasized that hoisting the One Piece flag was a violation of the law. Pigai also viewed the act as a form of sedition. "I hope that the public understands that this prohibition is an effort to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation during historic moments such as Independence Day celebrations," he said.

Meanwhile, one resident from Riau, Kharik Anhar, was undeterred by the government's threat of criminal sanctions for those who hoist the One Piece flag. "There is no article prohibiting the public from hoisting flags of characters, football clubs, or animations at home or on vehicles," said Kharik when contacted on Sunday, August 3, 2025.

For him, hoisting the One Piece flag was a form of expression of public disappointment with the government. Therefore, according to him, there is no reason to submit and fear hoisting the pirate animation flag in front of the house.

He regretted why the government's attitude was excessive in prohibiting and even threatening with criminal sanctions. "We reject the subversive labeling of the people's creativity," he said.

Kharik also received complaints from his colleagues that the authorities had started to infiltrate their actions. He showed a screenshot containing a warning message from a WhatsApp group of residents. The chairman of the neighborhood association (RT) or community association (RW) in the area was asked to report residents who hoisted the One Piece flag to the local village supervisory non-commissioned officer (Babinsa) and community guidance officer (Bimas).

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