Yusril reiterates government did not order authorities to disband the 'nobar' of 'Pesta Babi'

Surabaya (ANTARA) – The Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Legal Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra once again stressed that the government never instructed authorities to disband the watch party (nobar) or the discussion of the documentary film Pesta Babi.

‘The government indeed never issued directives to local authorities to take any action to disband or ban students or members of the public,’ Yusril said at Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa) on Tuesday.

Yusril said the government continues to respect the freedom of creation and expression of artists through the film.

According to him, the criticism conveyed in the film, set against a case in Papua, is regarded as positive input for the government in carrying out evaluations, including related to environmental impact and the rights of local communities.

He acknowledged that the national ‘cetak sawah’ program since 2022 has the potential to cause bias on the ground, including possible conflicts of interest among residents and issues of forest conservation in southern Papua.

Yusril also assessed that the film’s title generates prejudice in several areas due to cultural differences.

He said the term ‘pesta babi’ is a commonplace expression in Papua to describe a large celebration.

‘Like the artists, creators should not remain silent, should not hide behind freedom of expression without explanation,’ Yusril said.

The Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Indonesia also sought to clarify the use of the term colonialism in the film’s narrative so as not to generate misinterpretations of history that could divide the nation.

He emphasised that Papua is a legitimate part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on an official United Nations referendum, and that the food security programme is also implemented in other regions such as Kalimantan.