The US-based organization said in an emailed statement on Saturday that it had decided to terminate its contract with PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director Poppy Capella, who also holds the Miss Universe Malaysia license.
Six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants have filed a complaint with the police accusing the organizers of sexual harassment, claiming they were subjected to topless “body checks”, their lawyer said on Tuesday.
“It has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics or expectations, as outlined in our Franchise Handbook and Code of Conduct,” the Miss Organization said. Universe, adding that providing a safe place for women was his maximum. priority.
Jakarta police did not respond to a request for comment on Sunday. Spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said on Tuesday the report would be investigated.
Capella said in a statement on Instagram that she does not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.
“I emphasize that as National Director and Licensee of Miss Universe Indonesia, I have not been involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or authorized anyone to play a role and participate in the process. organization of Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit sexual harassment through body checks as reported,” she said.
The Jakarta pageant was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe pageant, to be held in El Salvador later this year.
The Miss Universe organization said they are evaluating their policies and procedures to prevent this from happening again in the future, adding that there are no measurement or body size requirements to enter their pageant in the whole world.
