Police confirmed that the candidates had filed a report which would be investigated.
Indonesian contestants in the Indonesian beauty pageant, held in the capital Jakarta from July 29 to August 3, said organizers asked five of them to strip down to their underwear for physical examinations in a room with more than 20 people, including men.
The five candidates were then photographed topless, said their lawyer, Mellisa Anggraeni, adding that there was no need for such checks. Six candidates had filed complaints, she said.
The Miss Universe Organization said in a statement on Tuesday that it had been made aware of the allegations and was looking into the matter.
“Miss Universe takes allegations of sexual abuse and impropriety very seriously. Providing a safe haven for women is the Miss Universe organization’s top priority,” he said.
One of the complainants told a press conference, broadcast by news channel Kompas TV, that she had been asked to pose inappropriately, including spreading her legs.
“I felt like I was being watched, I was very confused and uncomfortable,” the unidentified woman said. The broadcaster blurred her face.
Reuters attempted to contact the company that runs the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and the company’s founder, Poppy Capella, through their social media accounts, but they did not respond.
Reuters was unable to find contact information for a company spokesperson.
Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said a report from the candidates had been received on Monday and would be investigated.
Religious groups in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, have opposed beauty pageants in the past.
Thai media mogul and transgender rights advocate Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajutatip bought the Miss Universe organization for $20 million last year.
The pageant in Jakarta was held to select Indonesia’s entry for the annual Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador at the end of this year.
The competition organized by the Miss Universe Organization, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, has existed since 1952.
