Puan Asserts DPR Will Seek Explanation on Why TNI Dissolved Screening of 'Pig Party' Film

House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani has tasked the relevant commissions to follow up and seek explanations from various parties regarding the controversy over the ban on group screenings (nobar) of the film “Pesta Babi”. Puan admitted she was not yet aware of the issue surrounding the film. “It must be followed up properly, and therefore we in the DPR will ask the relevant commissions to seek explanations on that matter,” Puan said after leading a plenary session at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Tuesday (12/5/2026). Although she was not familiar with the film’s content, Puan heard that its title or content included sensitive matters. If the film “Pesta Babi” indeed contains sensitive and harmful narratives for society, then it must also be anticipated properly. “I don’t know the content of the film either, but we will follow it up in the DPR,” Puan said. Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the DPR, Andreas Hugo Pareira, also protested the dispersal of the screening event for the documentary film titled in full “Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita”. Andreas viewed the action as a serious violation of citizens’ constitutional rights. Andreas observed that TNI personnel were actually the actors in prohibiting the nobar activity. Andreas believed that the film Pesta Babi could still be classified as an exercise of freedom of expression. “The involvement of TNI personnel in dispersing the screening and group viewing activities of the documentary film Pesta Babi in the city of Ternate and several other regions is a form of action that tarnishes citizens’ rights to enjoy artistic works that hold value in freedom of expression, including criticising government policies that harm the public,” Andreas told the media on Tuesday (12/5/2026). The legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) faction questioned the motive behind the ban on nobar for the film Pesta Babi. Andreas doubted the state threat arising from the film. “Why must watching an artistic work be obstructed by the military? Is this a threat to national defence?” Andreas said. Andreas viewed the military’s actions as excessive. Andreas felt that the TNI’s actions constituted a form of suppression of freedom of expression. “In fact, this kind of forced prohibition only encourages the public to become even more curious to watch the documentary artistic work Pesta Babi,” Andreas said. Therefore, Andreas signalled that there should be no ban on nobar for the film Pesta Babi. “It is not impossible that this film work, due to its critical value, will receive international awards. It would be embarrassing if it is banned domestically, while the international community gives it recognition,” Andreas said.