Pirate Flags Are Irrelevant to Independence Values
By: Achmad Ramdani
Every August 17th, Indonesians commemorate Independence Day as a moment to reflect on the long struggle of our heroes to seize and defend our independence from the colonial powers. Independence did not come easily, but rather through blood, tears, and sacrifice. Amid this enthusiasm, a disturbing phenomenon has emerged: the use of symbols that do not reflect the noble values of the struggle, namely the raising of pirate flags.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, expressed his concern over the raising of pirate flags ahead of the 80th Indonesian Independence Day. He emphasized that during the commemoration of Independence, national symbols that represent the spirit of struggle and unity should be prioritized, rather than promoting foreign icons that could obscure national values. Furthermore, Dasco called on all elements of society to return to the nation’s identity and make the Red and White the only flag worthy of being flown during Independence Day celebrations.
The pirate flag, or Jolly Roger, with its skull and crossbones symbol, is often used in entertainment, community, or ceremonial contexts that claim freedom of expression. However, it is important to understand that this symbol carries a history of violence, robbery, and extrajudicial acts. Associating such a symbol with independence celebrations actually diminishes the essence of the noble meaning of independence itself.
Historically, pirate flags were used by groups of sea pirates to spread terror. The flag was intended to intimidate enemies and symbolize the threat of violence. The skull symbol represents death, and in many cultures, it is associated with destruction and chaos. The pirate symbol is not a symbol of freedom or rebellion against injustice in a positive sense.
Instead, the pirate symbol represents evil, harming others for personal gain. Pirates robbed merchant ships, killed crew members, and disrupted legitimate trade routes. There was no heroism in their actions. Therefore, using the pirate flag as a representation of the spirit of independence is a distortion of its meaning. The independence fought for by the Indonesian people was based on social justice, human dignity, and collective ideals, not on anarchism and individual violence.
The values of Indonesian independence are reflected in the Preamble to the 1945 Constitution, which emphasizes the importance of freedom, justice, and eternal peace. The Proclamation of August 17, 1945, was not merely a declaration of independence from colonialism, but also a promise to the people to build a civilized, just nation that upholds humanitarian values. Values such as mutual cooperation, unity, nationalism, and sacrifice were essential elements in the nation’s struggle. The heroes were willing to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of the nation.
Flying a pirate flag in the context of independence celebrations conflates the values of struggle with the values of crime. This misleads the younger generation, who should be learning to respect their nation’s history with full awareness and responsibility. Some might argue that the use of symbols like the pirate flag is part of freedom of expression.
In a democratic country like Indonesia, freedom of expression is guaranteed by the constitution. However, this freedom is not absolute; it must be exercised within a framework of social responsibility, cultural norms, and respect for the nation’s noble values.
The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam), Budi Gunawan, assessed that the raising of this symbol was a provocation that undermined the dignity of the red and white flag. Therefore, emphasis is needed on maintaining the dignity of state symbols, in accordance with Law No. 24/2009, Article 24 paragraph (1), which states, “Everyone is prohibited from raising the National Flag under any other flag or symbol.”
Freedom of expression does not mean the freedom to offend or undermine the meaning of state symbols. Independence celebrations should be an opportunity to strengthen national identity, not an opportunity to introduce foreign symbols irrelevant to the values of the nation’s struggle. This is especially true if these symbols originate from a culture of violence that contradicts the spirit of peace and civilization that underpins our nation.
