After candidates accused local organizers of sexual harassment, the Miss Universe Organization announced it was severing connections with its Indonesian licensee and canceling this year’s Malaysia competition.
The American organization announced late on Saturday that it had decided to end its agreement with PT Capella Swastika Karya and Poppy Capella, who serves as the organization’s national director and also possesses the Miss Universe Malaysia license.
Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants have accused the pageant’s organizers police, accusing them of sexually harassing them after they claimed to have been compelled to do topless “body checks,” reported to their lawyer on Tuesday.
Police said that participants had submitted a report that was being looked into.
Five Indonesian contestants in the Indonesian beauty pageant, which took place in a room with more than 20 people, including men, from July 29 to August 3, said they were asked to remove their underpants for medical checks.
According to the contestant’s attorney, Mellisa Anggraeni, the five contestants were then photographed without tops. She also said that such checks weren’t required. Six applicants, according to her, had complained.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Miss Universe Organization stated that it had been made aware of the claims and was looking into them.
Allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse are taken very seriously by Miss Universe. The provision of a safe sanctuary for women is the Miss Universe Organization’s primary goal, it said.
During a press conference that was shown on Kompas TV, one of the complainants said that she was encouraged to pose inappropriately, including by opening her legs.
“I felt like I was being watched, and I was very confused & uncomfortable,” the unidentified woman explained. Her face was masked by the broadcaster.
Reuters attempted to contact the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant’s organizer, PT Capella Swastika Karya, including the company’s founder, Poppy Capella, via their social media profiles, but they did not answer.
Reuters was unable to locate contact information for a corporate spokeswoman.
A report from participants was received on Monday, according to Jakarta police spokesperson Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko, and it would be looked upon.
Religious organizations have traditionally opposed beauty pageants in Indonesia, the country with the biggest Muslim population in the world.
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The Miss Universe Organization was bought by Thai media mogul Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, a transgender rights advocate, for $20 million last year.
The Jakarta event was held to choose Indonesia’s representative for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador.
The Miss Universe Organization has been hosting the contest since 1952, and Donald Trump co-owned it from 1996 to 2002.
