Protest Against The Beauty Contest

The beauty contest is still a hot debate for many years in Indonesia. I agree that the contest doesn’t reflect Indonesia’s culture. Using bikini and to show private parts of body is a vulgar and it as an act supporting pornography. I also sad to see Indonesian muslimah involved in that event and I’m supporting Muslims in Indonesia who protest against the contest.

I believe that you still remember as well, when Miss Indonesia 1996, Alya Rohali, took part in the Miss Universe contest. Even she attendance as an observer and she wasn’t in the competition, her attendance still drew some protests. In 2007, we also sent Artika Saridewi to compete, then Nadine Candrawinata, and they failed.  All this young Indonesian women had argued that the event was an opportunity for the world to learn more about Indonesia.

This year, Indonesia also sent Putri Raemawasti. Well, I must admit that she’s looking good in yellow bikini, but it won’t stop me to protest against the beauty contest. I’m still commit with it. Why we must protest it? It’s not our culture, nor our tradition, and it’s not good for our generation. There’re other important things to do in Indonesia, such as against poverty. Save Indonesia…save our future…save our generation. To be a part of the event won’t  help to promote Indonesia’s image in the world and bring in more tourists. There’re another things to do.  

Note: The Indonesian government, in Soeharto’s era (1966-1998), 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.

Read Beauty Contests in the Eyes of Shari`ah