Police Disperse TV Show Filming in Semeru Shelter

TheIndonesia.co - Police said it responded fast to reports about the filming of a TV show that took place in shelters for victims of Mount Semeru eruption. According to East Java Police, the shooting was without permit and was immediately dispersed by the police.

Spokesperson for East Java Police Pol. Grand Commissioner Gatot Repli Handoko said chief of Lumajang Police shut down the filming in the shelter on Wednesday, December 22, because crew didn’t report and obtain permit from the disaster management task force or from the police.

“[Crew] didn’t report to the task force or to Lumajang Police,” Handoko confirmed on Thursday.

 As reported by Solopos.com, shelter for victims of Mount Semeru eruption has been used as a filming location by a number of individuals, including for TV show.

A video posted by Instagram account @lumajang.ku showed the filming process of a series titled Terpaksa Menikahi Tuan Muda (TMTM) in front of a tent in the shelter. Locals can also be seen watching the production while crew filmed the scene.

In the caption, the person behind the account also wrote that it wasn’t the first time the shelter used as filming location. Previously, a music video was also shot in the area.

“There are many individuals who use the eruption for their own benefits. For example, a few days ago, a music video was shot in front of the ruins of a house that once belonged to one of the victims,” the caption read.

The post also slammed politicians and other figures who are quick to put their names and face in banners across the area. “It feels like we’re in the middle of election period,” the caption continued.

After the post went viral, a poster inviting people to boycott the show appeared.

“Lumajang Residents Boycott TMTM”, the poster read. “Your team came to the shelter only to film a show. Even worse, the actor and actress hugged in front of the kids. It truly hurts our feelings.”