Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Army General Maruli Simanjuntak clarified on Tuesday (19/5/2026) that there were no direct instructions from the central military command to shut down public screenings of the documentary film Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita (Pig Party: Colonialism in Our Era). 

He said that the cancellations were initiated entirely by local administrations to preserve regional security.

“The shutdowns came from local administrations to maintain regional safety. It is the responsibility of the regional coordinator... who deemed there was a risk of rioting. There was no direct instruction,” Commander Maruli said at the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta, as cited by antaranews.com. 

He added that local administrations hold the authority to secure their areas and students, questioning the factual accuracy and financial backing of the documentary.

The film criticizes a national strategic project in South Papua. Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has said that the restrictions did not stem from a centralized government or law enforcement directive.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)