The documentary film Pesta Babi (The Pig Feast) has once again seized public attention following a strong statement from one of its central characters, Yasinta Moiwend, also known as Mama Yasinta. Expressing deep disappointment with the film’s screening, Mama Yasinta took a significant step by reporting the head of LBH Pos Merauke to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police (Polda Metro Jaya) on Friday, May 29th.
LBH Pos Merauke has been a key advocate, providing legal assistance to Mama Yasinta in her steadfast opposition to the expansive Food Estate program in Merauke – a critical theme explored in the Pesta Babi documentary.
For several weeks prior, the film had already ignited controversy after numerous public screenings faced intimidation and threats from Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police (Polri) personnel in various regions, sparking widespread debate.
In response to Mama Yasinta’s actions, Pesta Babi directors Dandhy Dwi Laksono and Cypri Dale released a joint statement saying, “We respect Mama Yasinta’s choice.” Meanwhile, LBH Pos Merauke, now formally reported to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, has indicated that it will issue its own statement.
This respected indigenous woman and environmental champion from Merauke, South Papua, traveled to the Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters, objecting to the unauthorized display of her face in the film Pesta Babi. Her primary demand is for the screenings of Pesta Babi to be “stopped.” The documentary itself meticulously unpacks the complex web of government actors, law enforcement, and entrepreneurs involved in the exploitation of nature and the displacement of indigenous communities, particularly in South Papua.
Accompanied by her legal team, Yasinta also filed a report against John Teddy Wakum, the director of LBH Papua Pos Merauke, citing violations of Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law.
What is known so far about the Pesta Babi film?
Who is Mama Yasinta?
Yasinta Moiwend, widely known as Mama Yasinta or Mama Sinta, has dedicated years to opposing the National Strategic Project (PSN) for the food estate in Papua. She is an integral member of the Malind Anim indigenous community, residing in Wanam Village, Ilwayab District, Merauke, South Papua.
Mama Yasinta is a pivotal character in the Pesta Babi film, which was officially released on the Jubi TV YouTube channel on May 22nd. Within just one week of its release, the documentary garnered over 10 million views.
Her appearance in the film highlights her rare and vital role as one of the few Papuan women to vocally articulate the struggles and grievances concerning the fate of her ancestral land.
In 2024, she actively participated in the 836th Kamisan Action, a weekly protest held in front of the Presidential Palace. There, Yasinta, alongside other indigenous communities from Papua, delivered a letter to President Joko Widodo, who is set to be succeeded by Prabowo Subianto.
“Our journey from Merauke to Jakarta has a purpose, a message we wish to convey to President Jokowi.”
“Because we, who are affected, have tried everything; we have sought support from the Merauke Regency government, even up to the central government, but they have not responded,” Yasinta stated on Thursday, October 17th, 2024.
Mama Sinta and various indigenous groups have repeatedly organized demonstrations, questioned the project with local leaders, the South Papua People’s Assembly, the Merauke Regency Parliament, and even the Archdiocese of Merauke. Yet, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“We have performed Tanam Sasi, but we are not respected. They continue to evict us,” she lamented on every occasion.
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Tanam Sasi is a sacred Marind tribal death ceremony, embodying profound grief and loss. Mama Sinta profoundly feels this sense of loss.
“We feel the loss of our hamlets, the loss of our food and drink sources, the loss of the animals that inhabit our forests.”
Mama Sinta further revealed that the paddy field printing project has even encroached upon sacred areas within her village.
In 2025, she is slated to receive the prestigious S.K. Trimurti Award 2025 from the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI). This esteemed award recognizes women for their dedication, courage, and unwavering commitment to championing human rights, democracy, press freedom, and social justice in Indonesia.
During the pre-launch event for the Pesta Babi film, broadcast by Jubi TV in March 2026, Mama Sinta powerfully declared:
“We must be strong; whatever happens before us, we must fight it. From 2024 to 2026, I will continue to defend our land across Papua,” she stated, to resounding applause.
Following its initial launch on April 12th in Jakarta, screenings of Pesta Babi faced “intimidation” and even disbandment in several regions, with military personnel, university authorities, and local officials reportedly involved.
Conversely, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra claimed that such actions were “not directives from the government or law enforcement agencies, which are typically centralized.”
Nevertheless, a video statement from Mama Sinta circulated widely across social media last week, where she expressed her “disappointment” with the Pesta Babi film.
At the time, she asserted that the film was produced “without my permission, without my knowledge.”
“That’s why I am so disappointed with them, LBH (Pos Merauke), now,” Yasinta conveyed in a video clip cited by Tribunnews.
What made Mama Sinta the focus?
The shift in Mama Sinta’s stance regarding the multi-million-hectare food mega-project in South Papua is what has drawn significant attention.
In her widely discussed video statement from last week, Mama Sinta declared that she is no longer affiliated with LBH Pos Merauke, the organization that had previously assisted her in her advocacy campaigns.
“I have made my own decision. So, I want to find employment with a company, find a job because my house needs to be renovated as it is no longer fit for living,” she explained.
She added that her three children also require employment to meet their daily needs.
“So, Mama hopes for assistance in the future. I am now with the company, not like before, because previously I felt exploited; I was taken advantage of by the people from LBH,” she clarified.
What was Mama Sinta’s reason for visiting the Jakarta Metropolitan Police?
A week after her statement went viral on social media, Mama Sinta, accompanied by her legal counsel, visited the Jakarta Metropolitan Police on Friday, May 29th.
As reported by the news agency Antara, Mama Sinta articulated her reasons for coming to the police headquarters in Jakarta.
“My face is being shown everywhere they screen that film, and it hurts me. Without my permission. That is why I came to Jakarta,” she stated.
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She also claimed a complete lack of communication regarding permission from the film’s organizers to feature her image on the cover of the Pesta Babi film. Her demand is clear: the film’s screenings must cease.
“Stop it! From today, stop it! If anyone screens that film, please process that person,” she urged.
Concurrently, her legal counsel, Hamonangan Daulay, confirmed that he had reported the Director of LBH Pos Merauke under the Personal Data Protection Law.
“The report we filed is against an individual. An individual, the Head of LBH Merauke. The Head of LBH Merauke, yes. Jhon, whose initials are JTW,” Hamonangan explained, as reported by Detik.
The report cites Article 65 in conjunction with Article 67 of the Personal Data Protection Law. These articles pertain to alleged legal violations for disclosing personal data without authorization, carrying potential penalties of up to four years imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of IDR 4 billion.
How did the directors and LBH Pos Merauke Papua respond?
BBC News Indonesia reached out to Johnny Teddy Wakum for comment. He stated, “we will respond. We will send a release.”
Meanwhile, Pesta Babi film director Dandhy Dwi Laksono conveyed a message, which was also posted on his Instagram account:
“When their customary land was taken without permission, no one came to pick them up and escort them to Jakarta to report to the police.
Instead, it was the indigenous children who became pro bono lawyers out of solidarity and a desire to help protect their ancestral land.
We respect Mama Yasinta’s choice. Just as we respect everyone’s right to know what is truly happening in Papua.”
This article will continue to be updated.
- What is the controversy surrounding the Pesta Babi Film?
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- TNI continues to build Yonif TP headquarters amidst Biak land dispute — ‘For Papuan communities, land is not just physical space’
- Native Papuans pessimistic that regional elections can prevent the potential harm of the food estate in Merauke – ‘It’s useless for us to complain to regional head candidates’
- The Turmoil of National Strategic Projects: bursts of conflict, broken promises, and circles of wealthy entrepreneurs
- Indonesia’s deforestation rate increases and ‘potentially a world tropical champion’ in one year of Prabowo’s government – ‘Triggered by mining concessions, palm oil, and food estates’
Summary
Mama Yasinta (Yasinta Moiwend), a prominent indigenous woman from Merauke, South Papua, and a key figure opposing the Food Estate program, has filed a police report against the head of LBH Pos Merauke. She objects to her image being used without permission in the documentary film “Pesta Babi,” which explores the exploitation of nature and indigenous communities, and demands that the film’s screenings be stopped. This action follows her public statement of deep disappointment with the film and LBH, which had previously provided her legal assistance.
Mama Yasinta alleges the film was produced without her knowledge or consent, leading her to report John Teddy Wakum of LBH Pos Merauke for violations of Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law. She also stated she is no longer affiliated with LBH and seeks employment with a company, expressing that she felt exploited by the organization previously. While the film’s directors have respected her decision, the documentary itself has faced controversy and intimidation during screenings in various regions.