'Should she wear pajamas'

For the first time in two decades, an Indonesian citizen has joined the prestigious Miss Universe contest, held in Bangkok, Thailand this year. The participation of Artika Sari Devi in the beauty contest, however, has drawn protests at home. The country had previously prohibited contestants in local beauty pageants in predominantly Muslim Indonesia from competing in international pageants as it was said to be a disgrace to Indonesian culture and women. The Jakarta Post interviewed residents here on the issue.

Mala, 24, is a part-time filmmaker, who lives with her parents in Ciputat, South Jakarta.

Instead of condemning Artika, we should be proud of her and consider her our representative in the international arena. I think the people who are condemning her are hypocrites as they are silent on many other immoral acts in the country.

She is joining the contest for a good reason, and wearing a swimsuit at a beach or swimming pool is normal. There is nothing pornographic about it. What do you think she should wear? Pajamas?

What do they think about pictures of semi-naked women on the covers of so many tabloids in the country. The pictures are much more open than what Artika is wearing, and these women wear the outfits in a living room or in a field.

But they keep their mouth shut about those matters. I suspect they enjoy seeing and reading such tabloids.

Minyol, 24, is a student at the University of Indonesia in Depok, West Java. She lives with her parents in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

I support Artika's participation in the Miss Universe contest in Bangkok, Thailand. I think it will be good for Indonesia's image in the international community. I don't understand why people are making so much fuss about it. If she voluntarily decided to take part, why should anyone else be concerned about it?

Some people have complained about Artika's swimsuit. They say Indonesian women should not wear such an outfit in an international event. I think they concentrate too much on that issue and disregard the many benefits that Indonesia can enjoy by letting her join the contest.

We can prove to the world that we have a woman capable of competing with other woman at an international level. Beside, the contest is not only about physical beauty but also about brains and abilities.

--The Jakarta Post