Indonesia back in Miss Universe pageant after ban

Indonesia back in Miss Universe pageant after ban

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post/Bangkok

The continuing violence in the southern Thailand failed to dampen
the festive atmosphere surrounding a parade marking the start of
the campaign to pick Miss Universe this year.

Indonesia's Artika Sari Devi, winner of Putri Indonesia (Miss
Indonesia) in 2004, was spotted among the cheering crowd on
Friday as she warmed up for the beauty contest.

"It is such a rare opportunity to meet and to know contestants
from so many countries with their many different ethnicities and
cultures," the 25-year old law graduate said.

The Soeharto government banned Indonesian women from competing
in the international contest because the swimsuit competition in
particular was cited as being against Indonesian culture and
religious values. Criticism has somewhat faded -- and Artika says
she plans to join the swimsuit session.

"I will wear the one-piece swimsuit instead of the skimpy two-
piece one," she told The Jakarta Post at the Royal Navy pier
where the parade ended.

Miss Indonesia 1996, Alya Rohali, took part in the Miss
Universe event as an observer because she could not take part in
the swimsuit event. While she was not in the competition, her
attendance at the event still managed to draw some protests at
home.

Artika, meanwhile, has repeatedly insisted she would compete
in the pageant, arguing it was an opportunity for the world to
learn more about Indonesia.

"It is a great opportunity to compete in such an international
competition," she said on Friday. "So wish me luck."

The 81 beauties started the parade in floats decorated in the
shape of Bangkok's Emerald Buddha temple. They switched to boats
on the Chao Phraya River, and ended at the Thai navy's
headquarters.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accompanied by
visiting Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, was scheduled to host
a dinner for the contestants at the Navy Auditorium, on the
Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, the Deutsche Presse-Agentur
reported on Friday.

The Miss Universe contest, held for the second time in
Bangkok, also called "The City of Angels", will end on May 31.
Thailand hopes to draw in at least 3.2 billion baht (US$82
million) in free advertising for its tsunami-ravaged tourism
industry.

The contestants will spend two weeks in and around Bangkok and
make a trip to Phuket in an effort to rebuild the tourism
industry there affected by the Dec. 26 tsunami.

Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins and contestants will also
be involved in charity activities, including an auction on Sunday
where each contestant donates a special "country item" to benefit
Khun Poom Jensen's Foundation for Tsunami Relief.

Khun Jensen is the grandson of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and
Queen Sirikit who were killed in the tsunami while jetskiing. He
is also known in Thailand as a former autistic who recovered and
managed to lead a dynamic life.

The contest began the same day as a powerful bomb exploded in
the country's restive southern province, killing at least two
soldiers and wounding eight, the government said.