Miss Universe Indonesia contestants allege they were sexually harassed
Six candidates of Miss Universe Indonesia (MUID) 2023 filed a complaint against the organization, claiming that they were forced to go topless during "body check" and that photos of them were taken.
Mellisa Anggraeni, a lawyer representing the beauty queens, said the incident took place on Aug. 1, two days before the final competiton.
One of the complainant said that body checks are not part of the event agenda as it was initially intended to be a fitting day. However, five of the ladies were asked to strip to their underwear in front of the organizers, which included men, "to examine any scars, cellulite or tattoos on their bodies," Reuters reported.
Another contestant alleged that she was asked to pose with her legs open.
Additionaly, one of the victims claimed that there was CCTV in the hotel ballroom of Hotel Sari Pacific Jakarta where the incident occured. The venue wasn't secured, too, as they could see passersby from the room, which was only blocked by banners.
"The implementation of Body Checking is like there is no SOP at all and therefore it is done in the situation that the victim feels to be very non-condusive, unprivate and uncomfortable," Anggraeni said in an Instagram post.
"The victim until now still feels traumatized and pressured about what she has experienced and hopes that something similar will not happen later," she added.
According to Maria Harfanti, a former Miss Indonesia, body checks are normal but contestants are not usually asked to strip naked. They are only often asked for their body mass index to check their proportions.
On Aug. 8, MUID's national director Poppy Capella said they are "closely monitoring the issue."
"We are actively investigating the allegations that have been reported in the mass media. We will conduct a thural investigation and review the
allegations made against us. We will promptly take the necessary stance and actions regarding this."
Recently, MUID also addressed concerns that they received monetary support from its newly crowned winner, Fabiënne Nicole Groeneveld.
"We would like to firmly and unequivocally state that these claims are baseless and false. Our organization prides itself on upholding the highest
standards of fairness, transparency, and professionalism in every aspect of our operations. Every contestant is judged based on her merit, skills, and attributes, and no financial or other external considerations play any role in our selection process," they wrote in the statement, warning that they will take "legal and stern action" against those who spread rumors.
Groeneveld will represent Indonesia in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador this November 18.