UI Vice Rector Will Not Ban Discussion of 'Pesta Babi' Film

Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Students, and Alumni at Universitas Indonesia (UI), Hamdi Muluk, has stated that the university will not prohibit its academic community from holding discussions on the film ‘Pesta Babi’ by Dandhy Laksono and Cypri Paju Dale on campus.

“Yesterday I was asked about this—someone wants to discuss the ‘Pesta Babi’ film, does the university prohibit it? Of course not, I said. How could we? Discussing is part of academic freedom, right?” said Hamdi.

According to Hamdi, the academic community can certainly distinguish between provocation and non-provocation. He believes that campus residents possess rationality and critical thinking. “We won’t be easily influenced. If it’s shown in elementary school, then it’s prohibited by the Kodim; but for university, no need to prohibit it,” stated Hamdi.

This Professor of Political Psychology from UI’s Faculty of Psychology explained that discussions are a standard aspect of academic freedom in universities. “It’s normal, but the point is academic freedom. Academic freedom is not a problem,” said Hamdi.

Hamdi noted that the university has an academic platform, so discussion activities must be placed in an academic context. “Whether it’s a film, a book, or an event, as long as it’s in the format of an academic discussion, it’s part of sharpening reasoning, you know, sharpening the mind,” he said.

Previously, a watch-together and discussion of the ‘Pesta Babi’ film in Ternate, North Maluku, on Friday, 8 May 2026, was dispersed by soldiers from Kodim 1501/Ternate. Commander of Kodim 1501/Ternate, Lieutenant Colonel Jani Setiadi, reasoned that the dispersal was based on discourse and complaints on social media that deemed the film provocative. “This is not my personal opinion. If you don’t believe me, I can show you many views on its provocative nature according to the public on social media,” said Jani in Ternate on Friday.

Chair of AJI Ternate, Yunita Kaunar, stated that the dispersal by TNI soldiers constitutes a real form of intimidation against democratic space and freedom of expression for civil society.

The documentary film ‘Pesta Babi’ depicts the impact of land and industrial expansion on the loss of customary forests, traditional food, and local sovereignty in Papua. The approximately 90-minute film spotlights the struggles of indigenous communities in Papua, such as in Merauke, Boven Digoel, and Mappi, against expansion and the military’s involvement in national strategic projects (PSN).