The ban was issued in response to a viral social media post showing the Straw Hat Pirates flag from the Japanese series One Piece being flown ahead of this year’s Independence Day commemoration.
The provincial government has urged local residents not to hoist pirate anime flags, acting head of the Bangka Belitung Islands’ National Unity and Political Affairs Office, Ferdiyan, said here on Monday.
He then urged locals to hoist the Red and White flag to honor the country’s fallen heroes and heroines.
The provincial government is working closely with the police to crack down on those hoisting One Piece flags. Furthermore, the police will investigate violators to determine their motives for flying the anime flags, he informed.
“In short, the only flag that must be hoisted ahead of the Independence Day celebration is the Red and White, not other flags,” Ferdiyan stressed.
As reported earlier, Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai said that the government “reserves the right” to ban pirate anime flags from being flown during the celebration of this year’s Independence Day.
Pigai argued that prohibiting the flags is an important step to protect national symbols and demonstrate respect for the country.
Meanwhile, director general of politics and general administrative affairs at the Home Ministry, Bahtiar Baharuddin, urged the public to focus on displaying the Red and White flag as a symbol of national unity.
Over the past few days, the pirate anime flag has been in the spotlight in mainstream media and social media in Indonesia following the circulation of photos and videos showing the flag being hoisted at homes, on vehicles, and in public spaces.
In the One Piece series, the Straw Hat Pirates’ flag is a symbol of freedom and justice in the face of an oppressive government.
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Translator: Aprionis, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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