Papua Indigenous Leader Yasinta Moiwend Claims Entrapment Over 'Pig Feast' Film

Female indigenous leader from the Malind tribe in Merauke, South Papua, Yasinta Moiwend, claims she was entrapped and misled by civil society group members to participate in a documentary film titled ‘Pig Feast’. She insists she never gave consent or signed any official agreement regarding the film’s production. Yasinta said she was shocked to see her face widely displayed, even used as the main icon in promotional posters for the ‘Pig Feast’ film circulating publicly. ‘I was shocked to see myself in the film. Am I an Asmat carving or doll, displayed without my knowledge or consent? I’m extremely disappointed,’ Yasinta told journalists on Sunday (24 May 2026). ‘I wasn’t interviewed; they made it. Mama didn’t know. Mama didn’t give permission for that film. I swear to God, I don’t even know when they made ’Pig Feast’,’ she added. Yasinta explained the situation began when she and the Marind indigenous group were approached by a man named Aris to voice opposition to government land clearance in Papua. However, she felt the issue was distorted and she was exploited for the film’s unilateral production. ‘I’ve gone viral everywhere, and they made the ’Pig Feast’ film without my permission or knowledge. That’s what I’m so disappointed about with LBH,’ Yasinta said. She only realised she had been exploited after seeing the film’s production was never openly discussed with her as the main subject. Previously, Yasinta was facilitated with six round-trip flights between Merauke and Jakarta and three between Merauke and Makassar without clear purpose. ‘I was taken to Jakarta six times. On the plane, I panicked, wondering what was happening. In Jakarta, they asked me to join the Kamisan protest, urging me to speak out against the National Strategic Project (PSN). Influenced, I joined, but now I realise I no longer want to oppose the PSN,’ Yasinta explained. Despite enduring a gruelling travel schedule across islands that drained her energy, Yasinta claims she never received adequate compensation or welfare assistance from the organisers. Not even basic requests, such as replacing her damaged mobile phone due to travel activities, have been fulfilled to date. ‘All I got was exhaustion. They provided facilities, but the only money we received was around Rp2 million or Rp1.5 million from LBH Pusaka,’ she said. Feeling her dignity and privacy rights as a Papuan indigenous woman had been violated for a specific agenda, Yasinta firmly demands all involved parties remove the film from public view. ‘I was entrapped and exploited. I demand the ’Pig Feast’ film be stopped. There was no consent or knowledge from me. It must be halted,’ Yasinta concluded. Merauke indigenous leader Mama Sinta has expressed support for the South Papua Food Estate and left the PSN opposition group for her family’s welfare. She also stated that in the short term, optimising existing land would help achieve food sovereignty. The Wanam PSN in South Papua has shown significant progress, with several key facilities completed 100%. Several civil society figures held a screening and discussion of the ‘Pig Feast’ film in Jakarta on Wednesday (20 May) evening. She further stressed that the Wanam food warehouse project would yield long-term benefits. According to Maruli, the cancellation of screenings in some areas was a coordinated decision by local governments for regional security.