Earlier this week, two images of Indonesian flags being modified to feature Arabic writing went viral online. The modified flag reportedly first appeared when thousands of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) members demanded for the removal of the West Java Police Chief at National Police HQ in Jakarta on Monday, and was again photographed being carried by a couple of protesters on a motorcycle as they were heading to protest against Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama during his blasphemy trial in South Jakarta on Tuesday.
It’s not clear what the Arabic inscription on the modified flag reads, but these images soon became viral, confirming many netizens’ suspicion that Indonesia’s increasingly vocal Islamic hardliner organizations are harboring Islamist agendas, with many speculating that their ultimate goal is to turn Indonesia into an Islamic theocracy.
Regardless of what the writing says, National Police Chief Tito Karnavian said a criminal investigation will be launched as the law forbids any modification to the Indonesian flag.
“[We want to find out] who made it (the flag), who carried it, who was responsible? We want to summon the protest organizers, whoever they are,” Tito said today, as quoted by Detik.
“The red and white flag cannot be mistreated, which includes modifying it with writing. Such law may not exist in other countries, but here it’s forbidden. It’s punishable by up to one year [imprisonment].”
The modification and desecration of the Indonesian flag is forbidden by law, as stated in Article 24 of Law No. 24 of 2009 on the Flag, Language, State Symbols, and the National Anthem.
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