Mama Sinta visits Polda Metro for legal consultation over 'Pesta Babi' film protest

Yasinta Moiwend, known as Mama Sinta, an indigenous woman and environmental activist from Merauke, visited Polda Metro Jaya today for legal consultation regarding Dandhy Laksono’s film ‘Pesta Babi’.

‘I’m currently experiencing this since 8 April, when the film was screened in Jayapura at the Maranatha Convent without my permission,’ Mama Sinta stated at the Ditreskrimum headquarters of Polda Metro Jaya in South Jakarta on Friday, 29 May 2026.

Mama Sinta expressed distress over the film’s screening featuring her image, stating no consent was sought from her.

‘They’ve been screening ’Pesta Babi’ everywhere; I’m deeply hurt and disappointed. Without my permission, without discussion. They’re criminals,’ she said.

‘My face is everywhere in this film. I’m upset because it was shown without my consent. That’s why I came to Jakarta. That’s all I have to say,’ she added.

She recounted how she became aware of her involvement in the film when a man named Tigor invited her to watch it.

‘The person who took me to Jayapura for the event was Tigor. After the event concluded, he invited us to watch ’Pesta Babi’. At that time, I thought we were going to witness a real pig slaughter, but instead we were at Maranatha Hall where the film titled ‘Pesta Babi’ was being screened. Oh, there was my face,’ she explained.

‘I saw it with my own eyes, witnessed it firsthand—why was my face displayed before many people without my consent? That’s what hurt me and caused me immense distress alongside my family,’ she said.

She claimed she had no prior knowledge of being included in the film and was shocked upon seeing her image.

‘I never knew (I was involved in the film). Not at all. I was shocked when watching it on 8 April. I saw my face there when they screened ’Pesta Babi’,’ she said.

She felt deceived and demanded the film’s screenings be halted immediately.

‘I want it stopped. From today onwards. If anyone screens it, please take legal action against them,’ she added.

Meanwhile, filmmaker Dandhy Laksono addressed the controversy in a personal Instagram post, stating he was unaware of Mama Sinta’s objections.

‘Everyone, we truly don’t know what Yasinta Moiwend is experiencing in the remote areas of Papua. Whatever appears on social media, we should refrain from judging her. Even if everything she says is her own choice, isn’t everyone entitled to make their own decisions?’ he wrote.