Go Unlimited with Magzter GOLD
Get unlimited access to 10,000+ magazines, newspapers and Premium stories for just
Try GOLD - Free
'I Must Die' movie billboards in Indonesia trigger backlash over suicide messaging
The Straits Times
|April 09, 2026
Promotional billboards for the horror film Aku Harus Mati (I Must Die) in Indonesia have drawn widespread criticism over concerns that they could encourage suicidal ideation, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, amid rising mental health issues among the country’s youth.
-
Posters for horror film Aku Harus Mati (I Must Die) feature disturbing imagery and phrases normalising suicidal behaviour.
(PHOTO: THE JAKARTA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK)
The posters have been displayed on roadside billboards across Jakarta and several other cities since March 27 to promote the film, which premiered in cinemas on April 2.
Featuring the phrases “I Must Die” and “Sell My Soul for Wealth” against the backdrop of a blue, red-eyed creature, the billboards have alarmed child protection advocates, despite being recently taken down.
Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) commissioner Diyah Puspitarini warned that the phrase “I must die” could normalise suicidal behaviour among children, who may lack the capacity to critically process such messages.
This story is from the April 09, 2026 edition of The Straits Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Straits Times
The Straits Times
Guard against complacency as risk of another pandemic crisis remains: Ong Ye Kung
Ebola outbreak, hantavirus prove infectious disease threats continue to emerge, he says
3 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
SQ321: Radar may have failed to detect clouds likely behind turbulence
The storm clouds that likely caused the onset of severe turbulence on a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight from London to Singapore in May 2024 went undetected by the on-board weather radar, catching the captain by surprise.
5 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Royal Pop watches flipped for up to $32,000 a set
After the frenzy over the weekend to buy timepieces from the new Audemars Piguet-Swatch collaboration, many who succeeded in laying their hands on the Royal Pop pocket watches wasted no time to flip the sought-after product.
3 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Singapore pledges $19.2m to global facility to spur carbon trading
The Republic will pump in US$15 million (S$19.2 million) to help make international carbon trading a practical reality amid rising economic pressures and geopolitical uncertainty.
4 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Singapore to undergo review by UN atomic watchdog in 2027
It is part of process to see if Republic can make informed decision on adopting nuclear energy
4 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Green institute forging closer ties with ASEAN nations
international alignment in a fragmented carbon market by addressing the barriers of cost, capital and uncertainty, said Mr Tan.
3 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Singapore's AI pivot will require a very different playbook
Policy innovation in at least five areas will be needed to achieve the ESR’s ambitious wish list.
7 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
AI super-apps are remaking China's internet
Welcome to the agentic age. To have a coffee delivered to an office in Shanghai, simply ask one of China’s artificial intelligence super-apps to choose a brew on your behalf, press “confirm” and the beverage will be on its way.
3 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Prabowo's quips draw laughs, but could come at political cost
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has always been a politician who speaks his mind.
4 mins
May 20, 2026
The Straits Times
Iran says peace proposal includes reparations for war damage
Tehran also seeks US troop withdrawal, end to marine blockade and lifting of sanctions
3 mins
May 20, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size