TNI Disbands 'Pesta Babi' Screening in Ternate, Here is the Reason
Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) personnel disbanded a watch-together (nobar) event for the documentary film titled ‘Pesta Babi’ in Ternate City, North Maluku. The film was deemed to have received significant rejections due to its provocative nature.
“We monitored this activity. Then, regarding the existence of this event, we saw on social media a lot of rejections of this film activity, because many considered it provocative from its title,” said Commander of the 1501 Ternate Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Jani Setiadi, as quoted by Detik on Friday (8/5).
Jani stated that the negative assessment of the film’s content came from the public.
“This is not my personal opinion. But if you don’t believe it, I will show you, many consider it provocative according to the public, according to social media,” he said.
He then requested that the nobar event not proceed, considering that SARA (ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations) issues in North Maluku are highly sensitive and easily politicised. He then allowed the organisers to continue with the scheduled discussion activity.
Meanwhile, Chair of AJI Ternate, Yunita Kaunar, condemned the actions of the apparatus. According to her, this event is part of freedom of expression and the right of citizens to obtain information as guaranteed by the constitution.
“This is not just the disbanding of a film nobar, but a real form of intimidation against democratic space and citizens’ freedom of expression. The apparatus should not be the party that determines which works may or may not be watched by the public,” Yunita emphasised.
Yunita assessed that the presence of apparatus from the start of the event, including documenting the committee and participants, created fear and psychological pressure. Such methods, according to Yunita, remind the public of past censorship practices.
Furthermore, Yunita added, the reason of potential conflict given by the apparatus cannot be used as a basis for disbanding the event. Because this event took place peacefully and did not contain provocative elements.
“If every critical work is considered a threat and then silenced, then democracy is in a dangerous situation. The state must not fear discussions and documentary films,” said Yunita.
The nobar event accompanied by a discussion was held by the Society of Indonesian Environmental Journalists (SIEJ) North Maluku together with the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Ternate City at the Pendopo Benteng Oranje, Gamalama Village, Central Ternate, on Friday (8/5) at 20.00 WIT.
The film, a collaboration between Watchdoc, Media Jubi, Greenpeace Indonesia, Pusaka Bentala Rakyat, and Ekspedisi Indonesia Baru, addresses issues of deforestation and national strategic projects in Papua. The film also highlights military involvement in state agendas.