The Miss Universe organization has announced the severance of all ties with its Indonesian franchise and its local director, targeted by complaints of sexual harassment after asking candidates to undress.
“In light of what we have learned, it has become clear that this franchise has not met our brand standards, ethics or expectations,” the US-based organization said on Saturday evening. , on the X network (ex-Twitter).
Unscheduled and detailed examination of their physique
Seven of the 30 finalists in a recent Miss Universe Indonesia pageant have filed police complaints after being subjected to an unscheduled and detailed physical examination.
The American organization has therefore “decided to end the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its national director Poppy Capella”.
The lawyer for the seven finalists, Mellisa Anggraini, announced on Tuesday the filing of a complaint by the candidates for the competition held from July 29 to August 3. She explained that representatives of PT Capella Swastika Karya asked them to undress two days before the coronation ceremony, on the grounds of looking for any signs of scars, cellulite or tattoos. The 30 finalists were subjected to these examinations and five were even photographed, she indicated.
“Further investigation”
The Jakarta police immediately announced that the complaints would be investigated and could serve “as a basis for further investigations”. The Indonesian franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will be no pageant this year, according to the parent organization.
On Instagram, Poppy Capella denied any “involvement”. “I have never known, ordered, asked or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit acts of violence or sexual harassment through body checks,” a she writes, saying she is against “any form of violence or sexual harassment”.
The Miss Universe Indonesia pageant aimed to nominate the representative of the largest Muslim country in the world in the Miss Universe 2023 pageant scheduled for November in El Salvador.