Sorong – The Papua Legal Aid Foundation (LBH Papua) believes that the statement issued by the XVII/Cenderawasih Regional Military Command (Kodam) about the documentary film Pesta Babi (Pig Festival) potentially exceeds the authority of military and threatens freedom of expression within the democratic sphere.
LBH Papua Director Festus Ngoranmele says that the freedom to express opinions, to engage in expression, and to obtain information are constitutional rights guaranteed under Article 28E, Paragraph (3) and Article 28F of the 1945 Constitution.
"A documentary film constitutes a form of artistic work as well as a medium for conveying information that is protected by law. Labelling a work as a social threat without a clear legal basis constitutes a form of restriction on civic space that is dangerous to democracy", he said in a written statement on Monday May 18.
LBH Papua believes that the narrative linking the screening of the documentary Pesta Babi to a threat against social stability has the potential to create fear within the community, particularly among event organisers, the filmmakers themselves and citizens wishing to participate in public discussion forums.
According to LBH Papua, such an approach runs counter to the principles of a constitutional state, which guarantees citizens the freedom to think, speak and peacefully articulate their social experiences.
Furthermore, LBH Papua emphasised that military institutions possess no authority to evaluate the content of artistic works or to determine whether or not a film is suitable for public screening.
Ngoranmele explained that the primary duties of the Indonesian Military (TNI), as stipulated under Law Number 34/2004 on the TNI as amended by Law Number 3/2025, is a focus on national defence, military operations for war and Military Operations Other Than War (OMSP), all strictly within the limits of the authority defined by law.
"There exists no legal mandate granting military institutions the authority to evaluate, restrict or intervene in cinematic works or in civil society's public discussion spaces", he said.
Ngoranmele added that the latest amendments to the TNI Law relate solely to the position of the TNI, the expansion of duties within OMSP, the placement of military personnel in specific ministries or institutions and the retirement age for military service.
"Thus, any statements made by military officials assessing the content of a documentary film has no basis of legal authority", he asserted.
LBH Papua also drew attention to the use of "security" as a pretext to restrict cultural activities and the dissemination of information, which is seen as contrary to human rights principles.
Responding to the statement that screening a documentary film could disrupt social security, said Ngoranmele, this has no clear legal basis of authority, nor is it supported by any objective assessment made to the public. This issue in fact has the potential to give rise to intimidation within the Papuan people's democratic space.
LBH Papua views film screenings and public discussions as integral components of a peaceful and democratic mechanism for engaging with the social realities that exist within society.
"If differences of opinion arise regarding a particular work, the appropriate measure is to open channels for dialogue and open discussion, not to exert pressure or stigmatisation", said Ngoranmele.
Based on this, LBH Papua is urging the military to respect the limits of their authority and refrain from assessing or intervening in the artistic, cultural and public discussion activities of civil society.
LBH Papua is also asking the security forces to cease all forms of intimidation or pressure that could restrict the Papuan people's freedom of expression and artistic freedoms.
Furthermore, the government is being asked to prioritise an approach of dialogue and respect for human rights when responding to social and cultural expressions in Papua, rather than resorting to an excessive security approach.
Earlier, the TNI specifically through the XVII/Cenderawasih Kodam stated that the narrative in the documentary film Pesta Babi, created by Dandhy Dwi Laksono and his colleagues, to be tendentious in nature.
XVII/Cenderawasih Kodam information head Infantry Colonel Tri Purwanto stated that the there are concerns that film's content could disrupt social harmony and obstruct development programs in the land of Papua.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "LBH Papua Sebut Pernyataan Kodam Soal Film "Pesta Babi" Ancam Kebebasan Berekspresi".]
