Attorney Melissa Angrainy, representing six women competing for the Miss Indonesia title and a chance to participate in the Miss Universe competition, revealed that they have filed police reports accusing pageant organizers of sexual harassment. They claimed they were subjected to a "physical examination" while topless.
The attorney stated that five contestants were subjected to a photoshoot while topless, emphasizing that there was no need for such examinations. She mentioned that six contestants filed complaints.
The contestants, who competed for the title in Jakarta from July 29 to August 3, indicated that organizers requested five of them to remove their underwear for a physical examination in a room that contained more than 20 people, including men.
One contestant, speaking at a press conference broadcasted by Kompas TV, stated that she was asked to take some pictures in inappropriate poses. The contestant, who declined to reveal her name and had her face blurred by the channel, remarked, "I felt like some people were peeking at me; I was very confused and felt uncomfortable."
Indonesian police confirmed that they would investigate the complaints filed by the contestants. The winner of this competition will qualify to compete with others for the Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to take place in El Salvador later this year.
