From July 29 to August 3, the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant was conducted to select Indonesia’s representative.
Following complaints of sexual harassment by candidates against local organizers, the Miss Universe Organization severed ties with its Indonesian franchisee and canceled an upcoming event in Malaysia, according to News Agencies.
A group of approximately two dozen individuals, including men, were in the room where the Miss Universe Indonesia finalists were asked to strip down to their underwear for “body checks” for scars or cellulite, according to six contestants who recently filed complaints with the police.
Five of the competitors claimed that they were later topless in the pictures.
The Miss Universe Organization, based in New York, made the decision to cut connections with PT Capella Swastika Karya, the organization that oversees the Indonesia pageant, and its National Director Poppy Capella, the organization said in a statement late on Saturday.
“In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards and ethics,” Miss Universe said on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.
As the Indonesian franchisee also controls the license for that contest, it was also announced that this year’s Miss Universe Malaysia will be canceled. Plans will be made so that the Indonesia 2023 champion can participate in the Miss Universe competition, which will take place in El Salvador later this year.
Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld won the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant, which was held from July 29 to August 3 to select Indonesia’s representative to the Miss Universe competition in 2023.
Capella denied being involved in the contestant’s physical inspection and stated that she is opposed to “violence and sexual harassment” of any type.
“I, as the national director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 process to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking,” she posted on social media.
On Sunday, Hengki Haryadi, the director of general crimes for the Jakarta police, claimed that the victims had been made to strip off before being photographed in a hotel ballroom.
“These victims feel forced to take off their clothes and pose inappropriately for body checking that traumatised them,” Haryadi said.
Police are still examining surveillance cameras from the scene. Investigators will interview the victims and provide psychological assistance, he said.
The Miss Universe Organization said there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide, and thanked the Indonesian contestants “who have bravery in speaking out”.
“To the women who came forward from the Indonesian pageant, we are sorry that this was your experience with our organization,” it said.