Jakarta, Aug. 4 -- People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker, Eddy Soeparno, emphasized that the Indonesian national flag, the Merah Putih, must always be flown higher than any other creative expression, including those featured in logos and symbols.

"Quoting the late Gus Dur, no matter how much creativity exists in our democratic space, the Merah Putih must always be at the highest point," Eddy noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.

His remarks came in response to the recent phenomenon of pirate flags from the Japanese manga *One Piece* being displayed ahead of Indonesia's 80th Independence Day on August 17.

Addressing those who argued that displaying the *One Piece* flag was a form of criticism, Eddy underscore...