Film Screening of 'Pesta Babi' Also Disrupted in Ternate, Here's the Commander's Explanation
The Commander of Military District 1501 Ternate, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Jani Setiadi, stated to reporters, as reported by detikSulsel on Friday (8/5/2026): “We are monitoring this activity. Then, regarding the existence of this activity, we saw on social media that there is a lot of rejection of this film activity, because many consider it to be provocative from its title.”
The screening event accompanied by a discussion was held by the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) North Maluku together with the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Ternate City at the Pendopo Benteng Oranje, Gamalama Ward, Central Ternate, on Friday (8/5) at 20:00 WIT. Jani mentioned that the negative assessment of the film’s content came from the public.
“This is not my personal opinion. But if you don’t believe it, I will show you, many consider it provocative according to the public, according to social media,” he said.
Jani then requested that the screening activity not be continued because SARA (ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group) issues in North Maluku are very sensitive and easily politicised. He then allowed the organisers to continue the scheduled discussion activity.
“Discussing environmental conservation is a positive thing, please proceed. Then for the (screening) activity, I kindly ask it to be stopped, so that it is not used as material (for) politicisation in the future,” he said.
According to him, the effects of the film screening could occur in the days ahead. Jani then invited the organisers to work together to maintain the situation and conditions in North Maluku, especially in Ternate City.
“Let us work together, let us respect each other, we as apparatus have a responsibility in maintaining security and conducive conditions in the area under our responsibility,” Jani added.
Meanwhile, the Chair of AJI Ternate, Yunita Kaunar, condemned the TNI’s actions. According to her, this activity is part of the freedom of expression and the public’s right to obtain information as guaranteed by the constitution.
“This is not just the disbanding of a film screening, but a real form of intimidation against democratic space and the freedom of expression of the public. Apparatus should not be the party that determines what works the public may or may not watch,” Yunita emphasised.
She said that the presence of apparatus from the beginning of the activity, including documenting the committee and participants, has created fear and psychological pressure. Such methods, according to her, remind the public of past suppression practices.
Yunita also assessed that the reason of potential conflict given by the apparatus cannot be used as a basis for disbanding the activity. Because, according to her, this activity took place peacefully and did not contain provocative elements.