3 Fatal Design Errors in BRIN's Garuda Emblem Under Scrutiny

Rifaldy and colleagues admit to misusing names of several academic institutions. The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) drew public scrutiny after posting a Pancasila Day commemorative poster featuring an inaccurate Garuda emblem. The error sparked sharp criticism from netizens for disregarding the legally mandated standards for the national symbol. The following are the detailed design flaws identified in BRIN’s Garuda emblem poster: Official guidelines stipulate that the Garuda’s wings should feature 17 feathers on each side, symbolising Indonesia’s independence date. However, BRIN’s poster displayed inconsistent counts of 15 and 16 feathers. A critical error was found in the tail feathers. Constitutionally, the Garuda’s tail should have eight feathers representing August. The disputed design showed only seven, erasing its historical significance. The shield depicting Pancasila’s five principles also drew criticism. The bull’s head (fourth principle) and banyan tree (third principle) were imperfectly rendered and deviated from standard forms, reinforcing suspicions of imprecise artificial intelligence usage in image processing. The mistakes are considered negligence under Government Regulation No. 43 of 1958 and Law No. 24 of 2009, which detail the emblem’s shape, colours, and proportions. As the country’s highest research institution, BRIN’s carelessness has tarnished the sacredness of the national symbol. BRIN has since issued a formal apology via its social media channels and replaced the content with a compliant design.