Mien finds RI presence in pageant degrading

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Women's Affairs Mien Sugandhi said yesterday that the presence of a young Indonesian woman wearing a swimsuit at the Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas was humiliating and debased the integrity of Indonesian women.

"If Alya Rohali, the Putri (Princess) Indonesia 1996, had gone there as an observer, she would not have appeared that 'agreeable'," Mien was quoted by Antara as telling reporters.

Pictures of Alya, a 20-year-old law student from Jakarta, in a swimsuit alongside other Miss Universe participants have appeared in a number of newspapers in the last few days, once again reviving controversy about the wisdom of pageant contests.

Yayasan Putri Indonesia, the foundation that selected Alya last March among hundreds of hopeful contestants, has said it was sending Alya as an "active observer" and not as a participant.

The term active observer means taking part in all the activities without being judged, and therefore without a chance of winning.

Minister Mien said she was particularly upset about Alya's appearance in a swimsuit.

"We have agreed not to enter Indonesian women in pageant contests which only emphasize body parts and beauty," she said.

Besides, Indonesia is still mourning the death of First Lady Tien Soeharto, she said.

"Is it appropriate at a time like this? It's not even 40 days since she passed away. How could anyone do this, showing off her body in a pageant contest?"

Mien said she called a press conference because she had received many phone calls about Alya's appearance in Las Vegas, with some assuming Mien had condoned it. "I was never informed about it, nor asked for my blessing," she stated.

Alya is not the first Indonesian woman to be sent to the Miss Universe pageantry by Yayasan Putri Indonesia. The foundation last year sent Susanti Manuhutu to the contest in Namibia, also as an observer. There was no controversy then.

The government barred Indonesian women taking part in international beauty contests in the early 1980s, objecting to the requirement that participants must appear in swimsuits.

"Indonesia will not send any participant to any pageant contests abroad for as long as they (the organizers) don't change the regulations," Mien said.

A woman should be judged for her character and not solely for her body, she added. (emb)