LBH Bali Condemns Authorities for Disrupting Screening of 'Pesta Babi' Film at Three Locations
The Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Bali has condemned the intimidation by authorities who dispersed the group screening (nobar) of the film ‘Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme Zaman Kita’ at three locations. The documentary was originally scheduled to be shown at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) Bali, a cafe in Seminyak, and Tabanan.
Ignatius Rhadite, Head of Advocacy at LBH Bali, stated that this action is deemed undemocratic. Rhadite explained that discussing social phenomena through films like Pesta Babi is a human right guaranteed by Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights (UU HAM) and the constitution.
“Who then requested the dispersal? It was mostly carried out by state apparatus, in this case the police and also the TNI. Even in Seminyak, soldiers openly refused and demanded cancellation,” said Rhadite in a written statement received by detikBali on Thursday (14/5/2026).
Rhadite criticised the involvement of the TNI, which he views as exceeding its authority. Authorities should not interfere in civilian matters, especially without basis and merely following instructions from superiors.
Rhadite also highlighted the role of the National Police regarding crowd permits. In his opinion, nobar events held in enclosed spaces with limited participants do not require permits. He believes authorities are using baseless narratives to silence such activities.
“What is wrong with watching a film? What is wrong with discussing social phenomena occurring in Papua?” Rhadite asked in bewilderment.
“We see something being covered up, a fear related to human rights violations in Papua carried out through arbitrary and unlawful methods,” Rhadite explained.
For information, attempts to suppress the screening of the film ‘Pesta Babi’ in other areas of Bali continue. Based on information received by detikBali, electricity at the HMI Singaraja secretariat was deliberately cut off during the nobar, and authorities were present around the secretariat area.