DPD Deputy Chairman Questions Ban on 'Pig Feast' Documentary

JAKARTA — DPD Deputy Chairman Yorrys Raweyai questioned the ban on the documentary film “Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time” by Dandhy Laksono and colleagues.

“Why should it be banned? In today’s era, it’s strange for any institution to impose such restrictions,” Yorrys said in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

He said he had inquired about the alleged ban on the film’s screening with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago.

“The Coordinating Minister said there is no official ban. It may be individual members checking, but officially there is no prohibition,” Yorrys quoted Djamari as saying.

Yorrys said the documentary addresses deforestation across various Indonesian regions, not just Papua.

He believes the film’s title is part of the producers’ strategy to attract public attention.

However, government responses questioning funding and other aspects have only amplified public discussion of the film.

Yorrys added that the documentary’s content could serve as input for the DPD’s special committee on Papua conflict and humanitarian issues.

“For me, it’s routine, but it’s valuable for follow-up. It’s one of the factors we’ll use in the special committee’s discussions,” he said.

He noted that the clearing of 2.5 million hectares in Merauke, South Papua, raises serious questions about deforestation impacts and the management of timber from the cleared land.

“We raised this before. First, why is it called empty land? Merauke, or South Papua Province, has a population under a million. Yet 2.5 million hectares of forest are being cleared,” he stressed.

“When I asked the Coordinating Minister during our meeting, I said: if the land is cleared for rice and sugarcane, where does the timber go? Deforestation must occur. So where is the wood going?” he added.

He urged civil society and groups to continue raising concerns about deforestation, not just in Papua but across Indonesia.