Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel disbanded a\nwatch-together (nobar) event for the documentary film titled \u2018Pesta\nBabi\u2019 in Ternate City, North Maluku. The film was deemed to have\nreceived significant rejections due to its provocative nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe monitored this activity. Then, regarding the existence of this\nevent, we saw on social media a lot of rejections of this film activity,\nbecause many considered it provocative from its title,\u201d said Commander\nof the 1501 Ternate Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Jani\nSetiadi, as quoted by Detik on Friday (8\/5).<\/p>\n
Jani stated that the negative assessment of the film\u2019s content came\nfrom the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not my personal opinion. But if you don\u2019t believe it, I will\nshow you, many consider it provocative according to the public,\naccording to social media,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He then requested that the nobar event not proceed, considering that\nSARA (ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations) issues in\nNorth Maluku are highly sensitive and easily politicised. He then\nallowed the organisers to continue with the scheduled discussion\nactivity.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Chair of AJI Ternate, Yunita Kaunar, condemned the actions\nof the apparatus. According to her, this event is part of freedom of\nexpression and the right of citizens to obtain information as guaranteed\nby the constitution.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is not just the disbanding of a film nobar, but a real form of\nintimidation against democratic space and citizens\u2019 freedom of\nexpression. The apparatus should not be the party that determines which\nworks may or may not be watched by the public,\u201d Yunita emphasised.<\/p>\n
Yunita assessed that the presence of apparatus from the start of the\nevent, including documenting the committee and participants, created\nfear and psychological pressure. Such methods, according to Yunita,\nremind the public of past censorship practices.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, Yunita added, the reason of potential conflict given by\nthe apparatus cannot be used as a basis for disbanding the event.\nBecause this event took place peacefully and did not contain provocative\nelements.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf every critical work is considered a threat and then silenced,\nthen democracy is in a dangerous situation. The state must not fear\ndiscussions and documentary films,\u201d said Yunita.<\/p>\n
The nobar event accompanied by a discussion was held by the Society\nof Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) North Maluku together\nwith the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Ternate City at the\nPendopo Benteng Oranje, Gamalama Village, Central Ternate, on Friday\n(8\/5) at 20.00 WIT.<\/p>\n
The film, a collaboration between Watchdoc, Media Jubi, Greenpeace\nIndonesia, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, and Ekspedisi Indonesia Baru,\naddresses issues of deforestation and national strategic projects in\nPapua. The film also highlights military involvement in state\nagendas.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tni-disbands-pesta-babi-screening-in-ternate-here-is-the-reason-1778313154", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }