No Ban on 'Pesta Babi' Film Screening, Says Rights Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, claimed that the government has never instructed a ban on the screening of the documentary film Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita (which literally translates into the Party of Pigs: Colonialism in Our Era).

While Yusril acknowledged the recent cancellations of group screenings, particularly on university campuses, of the work by Dandhy Laksono and Cypri Paju Dale, he maintained these were not state-led actions.

Instead, he argued that the restrictions were tied to the internal procedures of individual institutions. "Not all campuses prohibit the screening of the documentary. At Mataram University and UIN Mataram in Lombok, the screenings were blocked solely due to administrative hurdles," Yusril stated in a written release on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

He further noted that screenings at other universities in Bandung and Sukabumi proceeded without incident. "Given this pattern, the cancellation of Pesta Babi screenings was not a directive from the government or law enforcement, which typically operate through a centralized command," Yusril explained.

Yusril contended that the criticism leveled in the documentary regarding National Strategic Projects (PSN) in South Papua is a legitimate form of expression, despite what he described as provocative undertones. "The title itself is controversial. Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita appears provocative," he remarked.

However, the Minister urged the public not to overreact to the title, which he believes was intentionally made to garner attention. "Let the public watch it, then engage in discussion and debate. This is how the public becomes critical, allowing both pros and cons to occur," he said.

According to Yusril, the critiques presented in the film could serve as a constructive lesson for the state. "The government can learn from the film to evaluate whether there are steps in the field that require improvement," he added.

What the ‘Pesta Babi’ Documentary Is About

The Pesta Babi documentary illustrates the impact of industrial land expansion on the loss of customary forests, traditional food sources, and the sovereignty of indigenous residents in Papua. The 90-minute feature highlights the resistance of communities in Merauke, Boven Digoel, and Mappi against the expansion of the government's National Strategic Projects.

Currently, the film is primarily accessible through public screenings and community discussions on campuses and among citizen groups. Nevertheless, several of these events have been forcibly disbanded or denied permission.

In Ternate, North Maluku, on Friday, May 8, 2026, personnel from the 1501/Ternate Military District Command shut down a screening and discussion. Lieutenant Colonel Jani Setiadi, the District Military Commander, justified the intervention by citing social media complaints that labeled the film as inflammatory.

"This is not just my personal opinion. If you don't believe it, I can show you how the public views it as provocative on social media," Jani stated on Friday.

Similar shutdowns occurred at Mataram University, Mandalika University, and UIN Mataram. At Mataram University, Vice Rector III Sujita stated that the film was deemed unsuitable for a campus environment. Having watched the film himself, he concluded it was better for students to engage in other activities.

"This film is not fit for screening; it is better to watch football together," Sujita remarked on May 7, 2026.

Meanwhile, at Padjadjaran University (Unpad), a planned screening for Saturday, May 16, by the Postgraduate Student Association was denied permission. According to a notification letter from the Directorate of Student Affairs seen by Tempo, the university cited the Ascension of Jesus Christ holiday and collective leave as the reason.

Unpad Director of Student Affairs, Inu Isnaeni Sidiq, confirmed the decision. "We requested it not be held during a public holiday and collective leave. Why? Because our staff also need a break," Inu told Tempo on May 14, 2026.

Eka Yudha Saputra and Abdul Latief Apriaman contributed to this report.

Read: Contradictive Customary Forests Protection

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