Miss Universe Organization Cuts Indonesia Ties

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Facts

  • The Miss Universe Organization has cut ties with its franchise in Indonesia after several contestants accused local organizers of sexual abuse during the beauty pageant's crowning ceremony in Jakarta.1
  • The organization said it will also terminate its association with Indonesian beauty company, PT Capella Swastika Karya, saying that the franchise had not "lived up to our brand standards and ethics."2
  • At least six contestants in the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant have recently filed police complaints, alleging they were forced to take off their clothes for "a body check for scars and cellulite" two days before the competition last month.3
  • Five of the complainants claim they were photographed topless in the presence of at least two dozen people, including men.4
  • Though the investigation into the allegations is underway, the New-York based organization is reportedly in the process of canceling the upcoming Miss Universe Malaysia — also arranged by PT Capella Swastika Karya.5
  • Meanwhile, Capella has denied her involvement in the alleged sexual abuse during the beauty contest — held between July 29 and Aug. 3 — claiming she is against any "violence or sexual harassment."6

Sources: 1Al Jazeera, 2Sky News, 3The Guardian, 4USA Today, 5BBC News, and 6The Times of India.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by Pageant Circle. This is an unfair move against PT Capella Swastika Karya, shown by the way Miss Universe railroaded them by prolonging their renewal process and then issuing a last-minute email regarding their termination. As a company that celebrates the power of feminism and would never commit sexual abuse against women, the loss of its credibility and license is tragic.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Bloomberg. This shameful incident has not only tarnished the image of Indonesia — a tolerant, secular, and pluralist society that respects freedom of expression — but also traumatized women who dared to win a competition. The Miss Universe Organization must evaluate its worldwide franchise agreements and policies to prevent sexual abuse from occurring in the future.