PKB Legislators Invite Indonesian Citizens To Spread The Red And White Flag, Not 'One Piece'

The giant Red and White Flags Fly at the Monas Monument, Jakarta, Wednesday (17/12/2014). BETWEEN PHOTOS

JAKARTA - Member of the PKB faction of the DPR RI, Anna Mu'awanah, regretted the widespread raising of the One Piece flag in a number of areas, ahead of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.

According to him, this phenomenon raises public questions and concerns about the potential shift in national values that should be maintained with full historical awareness.

"The raising of the One Peace flag does not clearly show political goals, but we cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that this symbol has a history and is not good connotation in several countries. Moreover, it was carried out in the sacred month of the birth of the Republic of Indonesia," Anna told reporters, Saturday, August 2.

He also invited Indonesian citizens to fly the red and white flag instead of the anime flag.

"So we should not fly the one peace flag, fly our beloved flag, the Red and White flag," he continued.

According to him, the spirit of independence should be a momentum to strengthen the identity and sovereignty of the nation, not actually open up space for foreign symbols which are not necessarily in line with national values.

"I'm afraid that if we ignore it, things like this can erode the sensitivity of the younger generation to symbols of the struggle and identity of the nation," he added.

Anna asked the public not to underestimate these kinds of actions, even though they look like a form of pop culture expression. "Don't let it be in the name of freedom of expression, we lose our historical foothold and national identity," she stressed.

Anna emphasized that the spirit of love for the country has been maintained and shown by state institutions, including the DPR RI. One example, every 10:00 am, all members and employees of the DPR RI must stand up and sing the national anthem Indonesia Raya as a form of respect and strengthening national identity.

This kind of culture should be strengthened and imitated. It does not actually give space to foreign symbols that can erode the spirit of our nationalism," said the former Regent of Bojonegoro.

As a constructive step, Anna encourages the government through related ministries and educational institutions to be more active in conducting public literacy regarding the meaning of symbols, history, and national values.

He also encouraged the role of religious, cultural and youth leaders to become at the forefront of maintaining a healthy and intelligent spirit of nationalism.

"The national literacy should not be abandoned. Love for the state is not enough just to be stated, but is also instilled and maintained in every social expression," concluded Anna.