Denpasar, Aug. 1 -- The Indonesian Home Affairs Ministry has responded to the campaign of hoisting the flag of the Straw Hat Pirates from the Japanese comic and animation series One Piece as Indonesia's 80th Independence Day anniversary approaches.

Director General of Politics and General Administrative Affairs at the ministry, Bahtiar Baharuddin, underlined that while it is not illegal for residents to fly such a flag, the public should focus on displaying the Indonesian Red and White flag as the symbol that unites the nation.

"Yes, all citizens are permitted to do so, but it is important to remember that it is the Red and White flag that binds us together as a nation amid our cultural diversity," he remarked in Denpasar City, Bali, on...