Not Separatism, Raising The One Piece Flag Is A Reflection Of Community Anxiety Against The Government
JAKARTA UI social observer, Rissalwan Handy Lubis, considers the phenomenon of raising the One Piece flag by some people is still quite reasonable and not a form of separatism, but only an expression of criticism of the government.
"Yes, this is really crowded, yes, but I see something natural in the dynamics of the state and it is legal to do so in a democratic country," he said, Sunday, August 3, 2025.
He considered that the raising of the One Piece flag was a symbol of the disappointment of a number of groups towards the current condition of the nation, as well as a reflection of public unrest about government policies that were seen as not in favor of the small community.
Many policies are getting more and more absurd, so we are saying the thoughts of the resistance to show that something is wrong with this country. This is a momentum problem when before August 17 there is a group of people, we can call it young people, it could also be the opposition, it could also be other groups outside the rulers who feel that we are not yet independent actually, still feel colonized, but colonialism by the nation itself, "explained Rissalwan.
SEE ALSO:
Therefore, he regretted the government's excessive reaction. One of them was the statement by the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, Budi Gunawan, who said that the movement was a form of provocation that could reduce the authority and status of the red and white flag.
"Once again, it must be understood that this is not separatism, this is criticism of the government. So I think the overreaction from the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs is also unnecessary, yes, there are crimes and others, that's a ridiculous thing," he said.
Rissalwan said this action was a form of subtle criticism that should have been answered with concrete policies, not excessive suspicion. "Just relax, just respond wisely, respond with improvements. So don't be skeptical immediately. There are people who criticize, this is a subtle criticism, not through demonstrations or anything," he added.
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Political and Security, Budi Gunawan, responded to the circulation of the narrative of the One Piece flag raising ahead of the 80th Anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. According to him, this movement is a form of provocation that can lower the authority and status of the red and white flag.