Yusril: Government did not order the dissolution of the "Pig Party" Nobar

SURABAYA - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra reiterated that the government had never instructed the authorities to disperse the watch together (nobar) event and the discussion of the documentary film Pesta Babi.

"The government has never given instructions to the authorities in the region to take any action to dissolve or ban students or members of the community," said Yusril at the State University of Surabaya (Unesa), Tuesday, May 19, reported by ANTARA.

Yusril said the government still respects the freedom of creativity and expression of artists through the film.

According to him, the criticism conveyed in the film set in the case in Papua is seen as a positive input for the government in conducting evaluations, including related to environmental impacts and the rights of local communities.

"The government sees positively that there are positive criticisms that are conveyed in the documentary and become material for the government to make judgments," he said.

He admitted that the national rice paddies printing program since 2022 has the potential to create bias in the field, including the potential for conflicts of interest between residents and forest sustainability issues in southern Papua.

Yusril also assessed that the film's title had created prejudice in a number of areas due to the differences in community culture.

According to him, the term "pig party" is a common thing in Papua to describe a big celebration.

However, Yusril asked creators to actively provide explanations to the public so that there is no misunderstanding in the community.

"Like artists, creators also should not be silent, not explaining only hiding behind the freedom of creation," said Yusril.

The Professor of State Law at the University of Indonesia also straightened the use of the term colonialism in the film's narrative so as not to create a misinterpretation of history that has the potential to divide the nation.

He emphasized that Papua is a legitimate part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia based on the official referendum of the United Nations (UN) and the food security program is also carried out in other areas such as Kalimantan.

"I want to clarify that the government is not doing anything negative to the Papuans because they realize that the Papuan people are an integral part," said Yusril.