Yusril's Comments on the Dissolution of the 'Pig Feast' Screening at Unram

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has spoken out regarding the dissolution of watch-together (nobar) events for the documentary film ‘Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time’. One such incident was the cancellation at the University of Mataram in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). Yusril emphasised that the government has never issued instructions prohibiting the screening or nobar events for the documentary ‘Pig Feast’. According to him, the dissolutions of nobar events for ‘Pig Feast’ in several areas stem from administrative issues. “Not all campuses have banned the screening of that documentary film. At the University of Mataram and UIN Mataram in Lombok, the nobar for that film was prohibited due to administrative procedure issues alone,” Yusril stated in a written remark, quoted from detikNews on Thursday (14/5/2026). “Meanwhile, at other campuses in Bandung and Sukabumi, the nobar for that film proceeded without any hindrance,” he added. According to Yusril, this pattern indicates that the dissolution or halting of nobar events for the film is not a directive from the government or law enforcement authorities in a centralised manner. Yusril considers the implicit critiques in the documentary to be a normal matter. It is known that the documentary ‘Pig Feast’ contains critiques of the National Strategic Project (PSN) in Papua, which is seen as disrupting environmental preservation. That project is also deemed to interfere with the customary rights of Papuan communities and the living environment. “I consider such critiques to be perfectly normal, although there is indeed a provocative narrative. The title of the documentary itself is controversial. ‘Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time’ appears to be provocative,” he said. Nevertheless, Yusril urged the public not to be provoked by the film’s title, which he believes was intentionally crafted to attract public attention. The government, he stated, can also draw lessons from the critiques presented through the film. “Just let the public watch it, then afterwards, feel free to hold discussions and debates. In this way, the public becomes critical, and pros and cons can emerge,” Yusril said. “The government can glean wisdom from that film to evaluate if there are any steps in the field that need improvement,” he continued. Yusril Denies Accusations of Modern Colonialism On the other hand, Yusril refuted accusations labelling land opening in South Papua as modern colonial practices. Yusril explained that the land opening in South Papua began in 2022 during the administration of the 7th President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), coinciding with regional expansions in Papua. That project is being continued by the current administration as part of national food and energy security initiatives. “Certainly, that project is not modern colonialism in the current era. Papua is an integral part of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia,” Yusril stated. “The Central Government of the Republic of Indonesia is not the former Dutch Government that called Papua Nederlands Nieuw Guinea as a colonial territory in the past. Such land openings also occur in Kalimantan and other islands as integral parts of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia,” he added. According to Yusril, national strategic projects are built based on thorough studies to enhance public welfare. Nevertheless, he continued, the government remains open to critiques for evaluating field implementations. “PSNs are built with thorough studies for public welfare, although the Government does not turn a blind eye to all shortcomings and weaknesses in their field implementation,” he said. Highlights Use of the Term ‘Pig Feast’ Yusril also highlighted the use of the term ‘Pig Feast’ in the film’s title, which he assessed could give rise to various interpretations in society. He encouraged detailed explanations regarding the meaning of that title. “The term ‘Pig Feast’ indeed has the potential to evoke various interpretations. Therefore, it would be better if the scriptwriter, director, and producer also explain the meaning of those words,” Yusril said. Yusril claimed that openness is not only demanded from the government. Rather, it is also from artists and creators of artistic works, including films. “If the Government is often demanded to be open, then it is time for artists, film scriptwriters, and producers to also be open and willing to provide explanations. The Government cannot remain silent by hiding behind authority and power, and at the same time, artists cannot remain silent and hide behind freedom of expression,” Yusril stated.