Yusril Ihza Mahendra: The dissolution of the Flm "Pesta Babi" Nobar is not a government directive

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra emphasized that the dissolution or termination of the "Pesta Babi" film's "Pesta Babi" was not a directive from the government or law enforcement officers centrally.

Because, he said, not all campuses prohibit the screening of the documentary film titled Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita.

"At Mataram University and UIN Mataram, Lombok, the film's nobar was banned because of administrative procedures. Meanwhile, at other campuses in Bandung and Sukabumi, the film's nobar went without any obstacles," Yusril said when confirmed in Jakarta, Thursday, as reported by Antara.

Yusril explained that the documentary contained criticism of the National Strategic Project (PSN) in South Papua which was considered to interfere with the sustainability of nature, the rights of the people of Papua, and the environment.

He also considered such criticism to be normal, although there were indeed provocative narratives. It was said that the title of the documentary itself was controversial and seemed provocative.

However, he reminded the public not to be lured just because of the title of the film which was deliberately made to attract public attention.

"Let the public watch, then after that please hold discussions and debates. In this way the public becomes critical, pros and cons can happen," he said.

He assessed that the government could also learn from the criticism conveyed through the film to evaluate whether there were steps in the field that needed to be improved.

Regarding the project in South Papua, the Coordinating Minister said that land clearing had begun since 2022 during the presidency of President Joko Widodo in conjunction with the expansion of the area in Papua.

The project was continued by the current government as part of the national food and energy security project.

Thus, he said, it was certain that the project was not modern colonialism in the present because Papua is an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.

It was emphasized that the current Indonesian government is not the Dutch government that used to call Papua Nederlands Nieuw Guinea as a colony in the past.

"Land opening like this also happens in Kalimantan and other islands as an integral part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," said the Coordinating Minister.

According to Yusril, the PSN was built based on a thorough study to improve the welfare of the people. Even so, the government remains open to criticism to evaluate the implementation in the field.

He also highlighted the use of the term "Pesta Babi" in the film's title, which could give rise to various interpretations in the community.

Therefore, the former Minister of State Secretary hopes that it will be better if the scriptwriters, directors, and producers can explain the meaning of these words.

He emphasized that openness is not only required from the government, but also from artists and creators of works of art including film works.

If the government is often urged to be open, he continued, then it is also time for artists, film script writers, and producers to be open and willing to provide explanations.

"The government cannot stand by hiding behind authority and power and at the same time artists cannot stand by and hide behind freedom of expression," said Yusril.

In the end, the Coordinating Minister reiterated that the government guarantees freedom of expression in a democratic country, but this freedom must still be accompanied by moral responsibility.