Documentary "Pesta Babi" Exposes Rapid Deforestation and State-Led "Ecocide" in West Papua

A new documentary by Victor Mambor and Dandhy Dwi Laksono exposes how Indonesian state projects are destroying 2.5 million acres of forest in West Papua.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 9:17 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The New Frontline: Environment as a War Zone

The struggle for West Papuan self-determination has moved beyond traditional armed conflict into a battle against environmental destruction, according to the new documentary "Pesta Babi." Premiering at the West Papua Forum in Auckland, the film argues that the indigenous population is facing a calculated "ecocide" orchestrated by the Indonesian state. Journalists Victor Mambor and Dandhy Dwi Laksono document the transformation of the southern Papuan landscape, where ancient biodiversity is being erased to make way for massive agri-business developments. This environmental shift is not merely a matter of land use but is described as a direct assault on the cultural and physical survival of the Papuan people.

National Strategic Projects and Indigenous Displacement

Jakarta’s central government has designated approximately two million hectares of forest for conversion into sugarcane plantations and rice fields under its National Strategic Project. While Indonesian officials maintain that these initiatives are essential for regional development and national food security, indigenous leaders at the forum presented a starkly different reality. The documentary illustrates how the expansion of oil palm and sugar industries has systematically dismantled traditional eating habits and alienated communities from their ancestral lands. By replacing diverse forest ecosystems with industrial monocultures, the project is effectively severing the spiritual and economic ties that have sustained Papuan society for generations.

The Intersection of Corporate Interests and Military Force

A critical theme of the West Papua Forum was the deep collusion between corporate entities, government planners, and the Indonesian military. Participants heard testimonies regarding how military personnel are frequently utilized to silence dissent and intimidate indigenous landowners who protest the loss of their territory. The presence of security forces behind barbed wire during protests in Jakarta serves as a visual testament to the high-stakes nature of these land acquisitions. This militarization of the environment ensures that large-scale deforestation can proceed with minimal interference from the local population, further complicating the ongoing conflict between the West Papua Liberation Army and Indonesian state forces.