Nobar of 'Pesta Babi' Movie, Puan: If Sensitive, It Must Be Anticipated
House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani stated that the forced disbandment of the screening or “nobar” event for the film ‘Pesta Babi’ is related to the sensitive content of the material. “Regarding the nobar that is currently being discussed, from what I have heard, the content or title of the film is certainly sensitive,” she said at the DPR complex in Jakarta on Tuesday, 12 May 2026.
However, the politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle admitted that she does not know the contents of the documentary film. Nevertheless, Puan said that the DPR will follow up by requesting explanations from the filmmakers.
“If it indeed creates something sensitive that is not good for society, it must of course be anticipated properly. However, it must be followed up appropriately, and therefore we in the DPR will also ask the relevant commission to request an explanation,” Puan continued.
On Friday, 8 May, soldiers from Kodim 1501/Ternate disbanded a screening and discussion event for the film Pesta Babi in Ternate City, North Maluku. Kodim 1501/Ternate Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jani Setiadi reasoned that the disbandment was based on discourse and complaints on social media that considered the film Pesta Babi provocative.
“This is not my personal opinion. If you don’t believe it, I will show you many provocative traits according to the public, according to social media,” Jani said in Ternate on Friday.
The documentary film Pesta Babi depicts the impact of land expansion and industry on the loss of customary forests, traditional food, and local sovereignty in Papua.
This 90-minute film highlights the struggles of indigenous communities in Papua, such as in Merauke, Boven Digoel, and Mappi, against expansion and military involvement in national strategic projects (PSN).
Director of the documentary film Pesta Babi, Dandhy Dwi Laksono, questioned the reasons given by soldiers from Komando Distrik Militer (Kodim) 1501/Ternate for forcibly disbanding the screening and discussion event for the film Pesta Babi in the area.
He said that the actions and reasons provided by the Kodim 1501/Ternate soldiers do not make sense and even seem fabricated to legitimise the disbandment action. “Reasons like provocative or not conducive show the military’s increasingly erratic attitude,” Dandhy said via voice message on Sunday, 10 May 2026.
According to him, even if the film Pesta Babi is deemed to create unrest, it should be the police who act, not TNI soldiers. Because soldiers do not have the authority to handle security.