Papua Police Allow Public Screenings and Discussions of 'Pesta Babi' Film
The Papua Regional Police has stated that it will allow members of the public and students to hold screenings and discussions related to the film ‘Pesta Babi’ in the province.
The Head of Public Relations at the Papua Regional Police, Commissioner Cahyo Sukarnito, said that his institution has never issued any appeals or prohibitions regarding public activities, especially those related to the film ‘Pesta Babi’.
“We are acting in accordance with legal norms. If the central government does not prohibit it, why should we take action?” said Cahyo when contacted by Tempo on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
He explained that, based on his knowledge and information, there have never been any instructions from headquarters or official statements from the government stating that the film ‘Pesta Babi’ is prohibited.
With these considerations, he said, the Papua Regional Police does not have the authority to prohibit or disband such events. The police can only monitor and ensure that activities run in an orderly manner and do not disrupt public security.
“Our appeal is that if there are such activities in Papua, please proceed. The important thing is that the activities do not disturb order and violate applicable regulations,” said Cahyo.
According to a post on the Instagram account @idbaruid, screenings and discussions of the film ‘Pesta Babi’ have been held in Papua on Friday, May 15, 2026, in Jayapura, Keerom, Katage, Biak, Manokwari, and Nabire.
Previously, screenings and discussions of the film ‘Pesta Babi’ in several regions of Indonesia were marked by forced disbandments by military personnel and prohibitions by university rectorships.
Some of the places where the events were disbanded by military personnel include Benteng Oranye Ternate and activities at Khairun University Ternate. The events were prohibited due to concerns about the film’s provocative content and potential to cause unrest.
On May 14, Coordinating Minister for Legal Affairs, Human Rights, Immigration, and Prison Affairs, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, said that the government has never instructed a prohibition of screenings and discussions of the film ‘Pesta Babi’.
However, Yusril did not deny that there have been disbandments of the film in several areas, especially on campuses. He stated that the prohibitions were related to procedures within each institution.
“Not all campuses prohibit the screening of the documentary film. It was prohibited because of administrative procedural issues,” said Yusril through a written statement on Thursday.
The Minister of Human Rights, Natalius Pigai, criticized the actions of TNI soldiers who disbanded screenings and discussions of the film ‘Pesta Babi’.
He said that state actors should not, and are even prohibited by the constitution from silencing or reducing artistic works, including films produced by civil society.
“The behavior shown by some authorities recently could cause Indonesia to experience a regression in democracy and human rights on the international stage,” said Pigai on Monday, May 11, 2026.
Contacted separately, the Head of Information for the XVII/Cenderawasih Military Command, Colonel Tri Purwanto, appealed to the public, especially in Papua, to remain selective in consuming and understanding current discourses, including those related to the film ‘Pesta Babi’.
He said that the spread of visual narratives that are tendentious without censorship in the documentary film ‘Pesta Babi’ risks pitting communities against national strategic projects.
“This film has the potential to cause misunderstandings and disrupt social harmony,” said Tri via WhatsApp message on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The documentary film ‘Pesta Babi’, directed by Dandhy Dwi Laksono and Cypri Paju Dale, depicts the impact of land expansion and industry on the loss of customary forests, traditional food, and the sovereignty of local communities in Papua.
The approximately 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.