Miss Universe Organization Cuts Ties with Indonesian Franchisee and Cancels Malaysia Pageant Amidst Sexual Harassment Controversy

The Miss Universe Organization has made the decision to sever ties with its Indonesian franchisee and cancel this year's Malaysia pageant following accusations of sexual harassment made by contestants. The US-based organization, which prioritizes providing a safe place for women, released a statement expressing its disappointment in the franchise's failure to meet their brand standards and ethics.

Six contestants of the Miss Universe Indonesia pageant filed complaints with the police, alleging that they were subjected to topless body checks. The organization has stated that it will be evaluating its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future, emphasizing that there are no measurement or body dimension requirements to participate in their pageants worldwide.

The Miss Universe Organization's decision to cut its ties with PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director, Poppy Capella, comes after six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants voiced their concerns about being sexually harassed by local organizers.

The contestants filed complaints with the police, stating that they were subjected to topless body checks in the presence of about two dozen people, including men. The Miss Universe Organization released a statement expressing its disappointment in the franchise for failing to meet their brand standards and ethics.

The organization stressed its commitment to providing a safe environment for women and announced that it would be canceling the Miss Universe Malaysia pageant as well. The contestants accused Poppy Capella of involvement in the harassment, but she denied any wrongdoing in a statement on social media.

The organization has pledged to review its policies and procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Miss Universe Organization has decided to sever ties with its Indonesian franchisee and cancel the upcoming Miss Universe Malaysia pageant due to allegations of sexual harassment made by contestants.

The decision comes after six Miss Universe Indonesia contestants filed complaints with the police, claiming that they were asked to strip down to their underwear for body checks, during which five of them were photographed topless. The New York-based organization announced that it no longer views PT Capella Swastika Karya and its national director, Poppy Capella, as meeting their brand standards and ethics.

The organization expressed regret for the contestants' experiences and stated that it would be reviewing its policies and procedures to ensure a safe environment for participants. The Miss Universe Indonesia pageant, held to select the country's representative for the Miss Universe contest, will allow its 2023 winner to take part in the international competition scheduled to be held in El Salvador.