Six contestants in the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant have filed complaints with police, accusing organisers of sexual harassment after they alleged they were subjected to topless "body checks", their lawyer said.
Key points:
- Miss Universe Indonesia contestants say they were subjected to inappropriate "body checks" and topless photographs
- Indonesian police have opened an investigation following the complaints
- National director for the pageant expressed gratitude to contestants for coming forward
The Indonesian contestants of the national beauty pageant, held in Jakarta from July 29 to August 3, said the organisers asked five of them to strip to their underwear for physical examinations in a room with more than 20 people, including men.
The five contestants were then photographed topless, said their lawyer, Mellisa Anggraeni, adding there was no need for such checks. Six contestants had filed complaints, she said.
Police confirmed contestants had filed a report that would be investigated.
Officials from the licence holder of Miss Universe in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, insisted they had "to examine any scars, cellulite or tattoos on their bodies", Ms Anggraini told AFP.
"The finalists were not aware that they would be subjected to such a procedure, as it was originally planned to be a fitting," Ms Anggraini said.
The Miss Universe Organisation said in a statement on Tuesday that it had been made aware of the allegations and it was looking into this matter.
"Miss Universe takes allegations of sexual abuse and impropriety extremely seriously. Providing a safe place for women is the Miss Universe Organisations' utmost priority," it said.
One of the complainants told a press conference that she had been asked to pose inappropriately, including by opening her legs.
"I felt like I was being peeked on, I was very confused and uncomfortable," said the unidentified woman. The broadcaster blurred her face.
No confirmation from pageant organisers
Poppy Capella, national director of Miss Universe Indonesia, did not confirm or deny the allegations in an Instagram post, but expressed gratitude to those who had shared "their views, feelings and perspectives with us" over the incident.
"Your comments are not mere words: they are a potent force," she wrote.
Religious groups in Indonesia, the world' most populous Muslim country, have in the past objected to beauty pageants.
The contest in Jakarta was held to select Indonesia's entry for the annual Miss Universe competition to be held in El Salvador late this year.
The contest run by the Miss Universe Organisation, which was co-owned by Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, has been running since 1952.
ABC/Wires