Police Urged to Ensure Justice for Indigenous Leader Mama Sinta Amid Intimidation Allegations

Allegations of intimidation against Merauke indigenous figure Yasinta Moiwend, commonly called Mama Sinta, are being urged to be thoroughly investigated by the police due to public perceptions of potential international network involvement. Political analyst from the Citra Institute, Efriza, assessed that the investigation into the alleged intimidation cannot be taken lightly, as it is closely linked to law enforcement integrity and national stability. He views Mama Sinta’s report filed with Polda Metro Jaya, which names Papua Merauke Legal Aid Institute director and ‘Pesta Babi’ film director Dandhy Dwi Laksono, as an entry point and initial step to uncovering the mastermind behind the alleged intimidation. “If there is indeed an allegation of foreign funding involvement, then the accuser, in this case the state, must prove it. The verification process must be transparent through legal channels and credible investigation, not by building narratives that actually enlarge public polarisation,” Efriza told journalists on Friday (5/6). According to him, circulating information claiming Mama Sinta was threatened by sponsors funding the production of the ‘Pesta Babi’ film must be made as clear as possible, even though Dhandy has stated there are no foreign funding sources. “The government’s position is correct, not overly worried about the ‘Pesta Babi’ film. It should be remembered that Indonesia is a democratic country; every criticism or work with differing views must not be immediately labelled a foreign agenda, as this can threaten freedom of expression and narrow democratic space,” he said. Regarding the issues raised in the film, Efriza sees its direction and motives as tending to degrade national unity, amidst the efforts of President Prabowo Subianto’s administration to deliver economic and political stability nationally, which is not easy. “The narrative of ‘Pesta Babi’ related to national strategic projects can certainly emerge as a link because such projects involve large investments, economic interests, land control, and also negative occurrences like mismanagement,” he stated. Furthermore, the National University political science post-graduate believes that Mama Sinta, as an indigenous community leader who upholds state sovereignty and the government’s alignment with the Papuan people, must have her rights protected as a citizen in obtaining legal justice. “Mama Sinta’s report should continue to be processed by the police, considering she is also an Indonesian citizen fighting only to seek justice,” he said. Therefore, Efriza sees the importance of urging various stakeholders to be wise, mature, and objective in addressing the ‘Pesta Babi’ film polemic, especially as Mama Sinta claimed she had absolutely no knowledge of being made an object to raise an issue in the film. “Allegations of foreign stooges funding or attempting to disrupt national projects certainly cannot be concluded prematurely without strong data and evidence. The excessive scattering of pro and contra perceptions also only results in political noise in this country,” he concluded.