What's Wrong With Miss Indonesia?

Since she was selected as Miss Indonesia 2009, Qory Sandriova (19) has been the target of the news media.

There were several reasons for this, first because she originated from Aceh where females must wear Hijab (head scarf) whenever they appear in public.

When she was selected as Puteri (=Miss) Indonesia and  represent Indonesia in recent Miss Universe 2010 contest the media have been reporting about Qory's failure to speak fluent English during an interview at the contest.

Lately, the media have been reporting about the statement made by Qory's mother Fariawati that Qory has disappeared from home after returning from the Miss Universe contest on 23 August.

Fariawati also said that Qory has changed after she met a 65-years old man who she identified by his initial "R". She aleged that Qory has joined a Mystical Sect because she has been acting strangely.

In an interview with the media Qory denied her mother's allegation, saying that she is now living by herself in an apartment because she wants to live independent in connection with her very tight schedule.

Considering that Qory is still nineteen years old, unmarried, has represented Indonesia in international event, and now is the moth of Ramadhan, I hope that she would always act decently and resume good relationship with her parents.
 
Photo: Courtesy of Kapanlagi.com

Does Miss Universe has to speak English?

Last Monday night, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarette (22) was crowned the winner at the Miss Universe 2010 contest that took place in Las Vegas, U.S.A.

At the said contest, Miss Indonesia Qory Sandriova (18) did not get any title. Some media assumed that her failure was caused by her inability to speak proper English during the preliminary round of the contest.



However, I don't think that English was the main reason for Qory's failure to win, because Miss Mexico spoke through an interpreter at the event,  therefore it is very difficult to say that she can speak English.

Details can be read on the following articles :
-  With Miss Universe win, Miss Mexico becomes national icon
-  Miss Indonesia's "Broken English' Sparks Online Ridicule

Miss Indonesia 2009 & the Cult

When Kerenina Sunny Halim was selected as Miss Indonesia 2009 last July, the media reported that the first things that she wanted to do was to learn to speak the Indonesian language and culture.

And now, as Kerenina participates in the Miss World contest 2009 in Johannesburg, South Africa, a media in that country reported that she belongs to The Family International, an organization that originated from The Children of God i.e an American religious cult which is quite popular in the '70s and '80s for its members' child and sexual abuse scandals.

For more details on the above, please click here and here.

Considering that Kerenina is representing Indonesia in the above contest, I hope that she would clarify this matter very soon.

Photo: Courtesy of Warta Kota.

Miss Indonesia 2009 doesn't speak Indonesian

On 28 October 1928, a large number of youths gathered in Jakarta to declare the Youth Pledge (Sumpah Pemuda), as follows:
1) We belong to one Nation i.e. the Indonesian Nation
2) We have one Language i.e. the Indonesian Language
3) We have one Country i.e. the Indonesian Country
These Pledges have led the people of Indonesia to declare the independence of our country on 17 August 1945.

Due to the above, I believe that every Indonesian must be able to speak Indonesian Language. And based on this belief, I was very shocked when I read an article in The Jakarta Post titled: Miss Indonesia's first plan is to learn Indonesian. (photo: courtesy of Reuters)
It seemed to me that the council of jury have been " mesmerized " by the fluent English of Miss Indonesia 2009, Kerenina Sunny Halim.
The Indonesian-American woman said that it is very difficult for her to speak Indonesian because most of the time she speaks English. She also said that she doesn't know much about the Indonesian culture. But for participating in this year's Miss World Contest in Johannesburg, South Africa, she will learn the language and culture in 6 months.

Frankly speaking, I believe that the jury's choice of this year's Miss Indonesia is not in line with the spirit of the Youth Pledge. Because, with a population of 230 million people, I am sure that our country has many other woman who are much more beautiful & more Indonesian.