SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Indonesia moves Miss World final to Bali

The final of the Miss World pageant has been moved to Bali after ongoing Muslim protests in Jakarta.

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Indonesia says the final of Miss World later this month will take place on the Hindu-majority holiday island of Bali instead of near the capital, after days of Muslim hardline protests.

Thousands took to the streets this week to denounce the decision to hold the beauty pageant in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation, with protesters burning the organisers in effigy and branding them "infidels".

The contest opens in Bali on Sunday and later rounds were due to take place in and around Jakarta, with the winner originally set to be crowned at a venue outside the capital on September 28.

But the government said Saturday they had decided all events would now be held on Bali, where hardline influence is almost non-existent and which is used to hordes of foreign tourists sunbathing in skimpy swimwear.

Hardline influence is strong in areas of the main island Java not far from the capital.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"All the events will now be held at venues in Bali - it will all be concentrated in Bali, until the closing," coordinating minister for people's welfare, Agung Laksono, told reporters in Jakarta.

He said the government had "listened to what the people wanted". The decision was taken in a meeting between Laksono, Vice President Boediono, and police and tourism ministry representatives.

There was no immediate reaction from the Miss World organisers.

Protests flared again on Saturday, with hundreds taking to the streets on Yogyakarta and Surabaya on Java.

While the vast majority of Indonesians practise a moderate form of Islam, a vocal hardline fringe has succeeded in getting events cancelled in the past.

Last year, pop sensation Lady Gaga axed a concert after hardliners threatened to burn down the venue and criticised her for wearing only "a bra and panties".


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world