Miss Universe pageant cuts ties with organizers in Indonesia over allegations of sexual harassment

The Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans, USA this January. Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty

Miss Universe has severed ties with its franchise in Indonesia, announced days after allegations of sexual harassment and will cancel its upcoming edition in Malaysia.

More than half a dozen women complained said all 30 Miss Universe Indonesia finalists were suddenly asked to strip for an alleged body check for scars and cellulite two days before the closing ceremony of the pageant in Jakarta.

Their lawyer said on Tuesday that the five women were photographed.

“In light of what we learned happened at Miss Universe Indonesia, it became clear that this franchise does not fit our brand. standards, ethics, or expectations,” the US-based Miss Universe organization wrote on social network X, formerly known as Twitter, on Saturday.

It says he has “decided to end his relationship with his current franchised in Indonesia with PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director Poppy Capella.» forward and added that «providing a safe place for women» is a priority for the organization.

Trunoyudo Vishnu Andiko, a spokesman for the Jakarta police, said an investigation had been launched into the woman's complaint.

The Indonesian franchise also owns the license to compete in Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will be no more competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a long statement posted on Instagram, the Indonesian franchise Director Ms. Capella denies any involvement in any personal checks.

“I, as the national director and license holder of Miss Universe Indonesia, did not participate at all and never knew, ordered, asked or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023. commit violence or sexual harassment through body checks,” she wrote.

She added that she opposes “any form of violence or sexual harassment.”

Criticism of minimum height requirements

Jakarta contest was held from July 29 to August 3 to select Indonesia's representative for Miss Universe 2023 and was won by Fabienne Nicole Grueneveld.

Miss Universe said she would make arrangements for her participation in the final, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

The pageant in Indonesia also came under fire for announcing a «significant change to this (year's) pageant's rules», removing the minimum height requirement after it crowned the winner. .

In a statement, the Miss Universe organization said it wanted to «make it very clear that no measurements, such as height, weight or body measurements, are required to compete in the Miss Universe Worldwide pageant.» '.< /p>