Andita Rahma, Dewi Nurita, Jakarta – The National Police said they would not issue any permit to allow mass gatherings for the screenings of the G30S PKI. The chief of the Information Bureau of the National Police's Public Relations Division, Brig. Gen. Awi Setiyono, said the non-issuance of the permit was relative to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The sure thing is the police will not grant a permit for mass gatherings. Remember, the safety of people's lives is the main priority, and the pandemic is still ongoing," said Awi at his office in South Jakarta, Monday, September 28.

People insisting to watch the movie were asked to do it alone, Awi added.

The 1984 docudrama "Pengkhianatan G30S/PKI" or Treachery of G30S/PKI chronicles the abortive coup committed by the now-defunct Communist Party (PKI) and the dangers of communism. The movie was often screened in public every year on September 30.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, said people were allowed to see the movie. Using an Islamic legal term, the status of watching it is mubah (permissible).

"The government neither bans people from watching the G30 S film nor obliges them to do so. g G30S PKI film. If we use an Islamic legal term, it is mubah. It is permissible," said Mahfud as quoted from his Twitter account @mohmahfudmd on Sunday, September 27, 2020.

Thus, he called on the public not to create a fuss over the matter, considering that the government did not prohibit television stations from airing the film either. The choice would be depended on the broadcast rights holders, he said.

"No one prohibits people from watching it or broadcasting it on TV. People can also watch it on Youtube at any time, no need to wait for September. I watched it again last night on Youtube. So was the case with former information minister Yunus Yosfiyah, who neither banned of obliged it," Mahfud MD said.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1390960/police-wont-allow-mass-gatherings-for-g30spki-film-screenings