Family concerned for West Papuan woman taken to Jakarta after appearing in film

2:20 pm today

Since she had been taken from South Papua on an unexpected trip to Jakarta in late May 2026, Mama Yacinta Moiwend has appeared before media in the Indonesian capital, purportedly denouncing the Pesta Babi film she recently appeared in.

Photo: Supplied

The family of a West Papuan woman alleged to have been forcibly taken to Indonesia's capital after appearing in a new documentary film, wants her safely returned home.

Yasinta Moiwend's family says her sudden journey to Jakarta eleven days ago from her home in South Papua's Merauke regency was suspicious, and that they have since lost contact with the 64-year-old.

Mama Yacinta, as she is widely known, features in a new film, Pesta Babi (or Pig Feast), about a large national agri-business project in South Papua and the role of Indonesia's military in it.

The film highlights her opposition to the agri-business expansion, due to its impact on forests and the ancestral lands of her and other local indigenous people.

Some screenings of the film in Indonesia have been shut down by local authorities citing the need to maintain 'public order'.

'Interrogation or pressure'

In recent days, Mama Yasinta has appeared on social media from Jakarta, claiming she didn't consent to being in the film, and that she objected to the film being screened.

A spokesperson for her family, Esau Kahol, told RNZ Pacific they suspect she made the comments under duress.

"From what we can see physically, Mama appears to have undergone interrogation or pressure," Kahol said.

"Looking at her body language, it seems as though she is struggling against herself. Words may say one thing, but her eyes do not lie. They cannot hide the truth from herself."

He also said there was no way Mama Yasinta could have made the trip to Jakarta of her own volition or means.

"We question the claim made in the circulating video that Mama Sinta used her own money to travel from Wogekel village to Jakarta. Such a trip requires substantial funds - for airfare, transportation, accommodation, food, and other expenses in Jakarta.

"Our family lives in poverty. It is impossible for Mama Sinta to suddenly have access to that kind of money, gain such opportunities, and secure legal representation," the spokesman said.

Film garners attention on Papua

Human rights defenders who work in Papua region say it is likely that Mama Yacinta's journey to Jakarta was facilitated by people linked with the agri-business project, in conjunction with authorities.

Kahol said the issue explored in the film, regarding land grabbing and the impact on Papuan human rights, has "grown from the regional level to the national and even international level", as a result of the film.

"Mama Sinta has become a target in efforts to distort the facts surrounding three years of struggle," he said in reference to the film-making process.

The spokesman said the family was extremely concerned for her safety and had asked authorities for her to be returned safely from Jakarta.

"What we also hope is that the family will receive support in pursuing justice in Papua, from customary leaders of the Marind people, youth leaders, legal institutions, and non-governmental organisations."

RNZ Pacific has approached the Indonesian military command in Papua to clarify circumstances around Yacinta Moiwend's unexpected travel to Jakarta.