Dandhy Laksono: We Understand Mama Sinta's Shift in Stance

Documentary filmmaker Dandhy Dwi Laksono stated that his team respects the changed stance of indigenous woman from Merauke, Yasinta Moiwend, known as Mama Sinta. Dandhy emphasised that his team does not intend to vilify Mama Sinta and instead urges the public not to judge the choices made by this indigenous female leader. ‘Our ’Pesta Babi’ collaborative team respects Mama Yasinta’s current stance and asks the public not to vilify or judge her, as we continue to seek to understand the reasons behind this shift in her position,’ Dandhy stated in a written response to Kompas.com on Saturday (30 May 2026). ‘Mama Yasinta Moiwend is a Malind indigenous woman who has long fought for herself and her community long before the documentary was made,’ Dandhy said. While respecting her decision, Dandhy acknowledged that his team has contacted Mama Sinta since the documentary’s release but received no response. ‘Despite the video going viral on Saturday, 23 May, and visiting the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters on Friday, 29 May, Mama Yasinta remains unreachable and has not been seen,’ Dandhy said. Dandhy also urged the public not to lose focus on the core issue being raised – the customary land rights disputes in Papua. ‘We seek public support for this issue while continuing solidarity efforts to address the significant challenges in Papua,’ he added. He highlighted the lack of attention as customary lands in Papua face ongoing issues. ‘When their ancestral lands are taken without consent, they are not accompanied to Jakarta to report to the police,’ Dandhy wrote. He noted that those accompanying indigenous communities, including Mama Sinta, are young indigenous people training as pro bono lawyers out of solidarity to protect their ancestral lands. ‘We respect Mama Yasinta’s choice, just as we respect everyone’s right to know what is truly happening in Papua,’ he concluded. Previously, Mama Sinta filed a report against LBH Merauke chairman Johnny Teddy Wakum with the Jakarta Metropolitan Police on Friday, 29 May 2026.