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The Indonesian military has forcibly halted dozens of screenings of the documentary Pesta Babi (Pig Feast), a film exposing one of the world's largest deforestation projects in Papua and the alleged complicity of business leaders, military officials, and prominent politicians. Despite the crackdown, the film has gone viral online, drawing over 11 million views on YouTube and sparking a national debate on censorship, indigenous rights, and environmental destruction.
What is the Pesta Babi Documentary?
Pesta Babi: Kolonialisme di Zaman Kita (Pig Feast: Colonialism in Our Time) is a 90-minute documentary directed by journalist Dandhy Dwi Laksono and anthropologist Cypri Jehan Paju Dale. The film investigates the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate in South Papua, a state-backed project spanning nearly 3 million hectares — an area roughly the size of Belgium. The project involves clearing vast tracts of ancient rainforest for sugarcane, rice, and palm oil plantations, ostensibly to achieve national food and energy security.
The title refers to a local Muyu tradition of roasting pigs together, but also serves as a metaphor for Indonesia's elite feasting on Papua's natural wealth. The film documents how indigenous communities — including the Malind, Awyu, Yei, and Muyu peoples — have been displaced, their forests destroyed, and their cultural heritage erased. It also alleges that military and political figures profit directly from the land clearance.
Military Crackdown on Screenings
Since the film's first public screenings in April 2026, the Indonesian military (TNI) has disrupted over 50 planned events across multiple cities, including Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Makassar. Organizers reported that soldiers arrived at venues, demanded screenings be stopped, and confiscated equipment. In some cases, attendees were intimidated and asked to leave. The military claims the film could cause social unrest and should have first obtained a license from the Film Censorship Board.
Indonesia's Minister of Justice has stated that the film is not officially banned, but the military's actions have created a de facto censorship regime. Critics argue that the TNI has no legal authority to halt film screenings and that the crackdown violates constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression. The military censorship in Indonesia has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups.
"We're doing nothing wrong," said Tama Margaretha Nauli, a Greenpeace activist who helped organize a secret screening in South Jakarta. "Papua is one of the last places on Earth with vast primary forest. It's being cleared, and with it the culture of the local Papuans is being destroyed."
The Merauke Food Estate: A Deforestation Crisis
The Merauke Food and Energy Estate is described by environmental groups as the largest single deforestation project on the planet. According to satellite data analyzed by Greenpeace Indonesia and TheTreeMap, at least 1,727 hectares of primary forest — including peat swamp — were cleared inside the Merauke estate perimeter between January 2020 and December 2023. Deforestation in Indonesia surged over 50% in 2024 to approximately 216,000 hectares, the highest since 2019.
In January 2026, Indonesia's National Land Agency fast-tracked 328,000 hectares of cultivation rights for rice, bypassing lengthy permit procedures. By early 2026, sugarcane plantations had reached 15,643 hectares and rice fields 5,934 hectares of forest loss. UN special rapporteurs have raised concerns over indigenous displacement, violations of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and military intimidation. The project has also drawn scrutiny under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
The EU carbon border tax and deforestation-free supply chain rules could impact Indonesian exports if the project continues without safeguards. Environmentalists warn the Merauke scheme risks repeating the ecological disaster of Indonesia's 1990s Mega Rice Project in Central Kalimantan.
Streisand Effect: Censorship Backfires
The military's efforts to suppress Pesta Babi have dramatically backfired. After authorities disrupted campus screenings, the filmmakers uploaded the documentary to YouTube on May 22, 2026, with English subtitles. Within three days, it amassed over 6 million views. As of early June, the film has been viewed more than 11 million times, making it one of the most-watched Indonesian documentaries in history.
The censorship sparked a nationwide debate on Papua, development, and freedom of speech. Former President Megawati Soekarnoputri defended the film, saying it showed the "reality" of environmental destruction in Papua. Activists have organized hundreds of secret screenings, with over 15,000 people registering to attend. The 2025 crackdown on environmental activists in Indonesia has further fueled public anger.
"I hope this film opens a door for discussion," said Ambrosius, a Papuan who contributed to the documentary. "It won't end the pain of Papua immediately, but we can at least talk about it."
Impact and Implications
The controversy surrounding Pesta Babi has put international attention on Indonesia's development policies in Papua. Human Rights Watch has documented police violence against Papuan protesters opposing the food estate project. In January 2026, police dispersed, beat, and detained 11 protesters in Merauke City. Indigenous communities allege forced displacement and military suppression.
The film's popularity also highlights growing public resistance to the government's narrative of development at any cost. Civil society groups are calling for an immediate halt to forest clearance, meaningful consultation with indigenous peoples, and an end to military involvement in civilian affairs. The indigenous land rights movement in Southeast Asia has gained momentum as a result of the film's exposure.
As the documentary continues to spread online, the Indonesian government faces increasing pressure to address the allegations raised in Pesta Babi — or risk further erosion of public trust and international reputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pesta Babi documentary about?
Pesta Babi is a documentary that exposes large-scale deforestation and land grabbing in Papua, Indonesia, driven by the Merauke Food and Energy Estate project. It alleges that military officials, politicians, and business figures profit from the destruction of indigenous lands.
Why has the Indonesian military shut down screenings?
The military claims the film could cause social unrest and was not submitted to the Film Censorship Board. Critics say the real reason is that the film exposes corruption and human rights abuses involving military personnel.
How many views has the film received online?
As of early June 2026, the film has been viewed over 11 million times on YouTube, with English subtitles added for international audiences.
What is the Merauke Food Estate?
The Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate is a state-backed mega-project in South Papua spanning nearly 3 million hectares. It aims to convert rainforest and swampland into agricultural plantations for rice, sugarcane, and palm oil.
Is the film banned in Indonesia?
Officially, the film is not banned. However, the military has forcibly stopped over 50 screenings, creating a de facto ban. The government has not issued a formal prohibition.
Sources
The Straits Times | South China Morning Post | Human Rights Watch | Asia Pacific Report
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