Almost seven participants competing for the Miss Universe Indonesia title have filed police complaints accusing the organizers of sexual abuse.
According to a lawyer representing the contestants, the candidates were instructed to remove their tops for what was termed “body checks” and photographic documentation, a mere two days before the finals held on August 3rd.
The organizers purportedly justified this request by stating they needed to assess any scars, cellulite, or tattoos present on the contestants’ bodies. “My sense of personal rights has been violated,” lamented one of the participants.
Speaking alongside fellow complainants earlier in the week, she disclosed the emotional toll it had taken on her, leading to sleep disturbances. In order to shield their identities, local television stations blurred the faces of the complainants during broadcasts.
Mellisa Anggraeni, a lawyer representing three of the contestants who raised concerns, asserted that numerous others are poised to step forward. The Jakarta police released a statement confirming their intention to conduct a thorough investigation.
The Miss Universe Indonesia Organization, under the ownership of celebrity Poppy Capella, pledged to probe the allegations. The global Miss Universe Organization also affirmed its commitment to investigating the matter and underlined its solemn regard for allegations involving sexual misconduct.
While routine body checks are a customary practice in Indonesia, the requirement for contestants to be unclothed is considered unusual. Maria Harfanti, a former Miss Indonesia, noted that organizers often assess contestants’ body mass index (BMI) to ascertain body proportions but typically do not request full disrobing.
One of the complainants shared during a press conference that the body checks transpired within a closed room, although several men were present. She further pointed out that the door was not entirely closed, enabling those outside to have a partial view.
While beauty pageants have a long-standing presence in Indonesia, organizers are cautious not to offend more conservative segments of society. In 2013, the Miss World pageant eliminated its bikini round when it was held in the predominantly Muslim country.
Miss Universe, now in its 73rd edition, boasts immense popularity in Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, where victors often ascend to become celebrities and influential figures in social media.
The franchise owner, Anne Jakrajutatip, a Thai transgender woman and media magnate, has pursued a rebranding effort to promote inclusivity. Her modifications include allowing married women, transgender women, and single mothers to participate in the competition.
