Indonesia’s Miss Papua Disqualified Over Israel Support, Netizens React Sharply

HNC-A finalist representing Papua Pegunungan in the Miss Indonesia 2025 beauty pageant has been disqualified after a video surfaced online showing her waving an Israeli flag and voicing support for the country, sparking intense debate on Indonesian social media platforms.

Merince Kogoya, 20, was removed from the national competition over the weekend following mounting public pressure and viral outrage over her past content. In the widely shared clip, she is seen dancing alongside others while holding up the Israeli flag. The video, believed to have been recorded before the pageant, was accompanied by a caption stating: “Faithful to Jerusalem, standing for Israel, rising for the nations.”

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The Miss Indonesia Foundation (Yayasan Miss Indonesia), which organizes the annual contest, confirmed Kogoya’s disqualification but did not issue an official public statement. According to sources close to the committee, her removal was deemed necessary to “preserve the unity and public sensitivity regarding global political issues.”

Kogoya later expressed her disappointment via social media, saying her removal felt abrupt and unjustified. “I spent four months preparing for this opportunity. It’s heartbreaking to be judged solely for a belief I live out personally,” she wrote.

Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, does not maintain formal diplomatic relations with Israel and has long supported Palestinian statehood. Public support for Israel is considered highly controversial and often met with strong backlash.

Online reactions to the decision were mixed, with many Indonesians applauding the organizers for their swift response. “Good job YMI, no tolerance for Zionist sympathizers,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another added, “She crossed the line, and there are consequences.”

However, others defended Kogoya’s actions, viewing them as personal expressions of faith rather than political endorsement. “Why can’t she express her belief in peace and hope? Religion should not disqualify someone from a competition,” commented a supporter. The incident has sparked renewed debate in Indonesia about freedom of expression, religious belief, and national identity.

To fill the vacant spot, organizers announced that Karmen Anastasya, the first runner-up from Miss Papua Pegunungan 2025, would take Kogoya’s place in the national pageant. Anastasya is expected to continue in the competition with full support from the regional committee.

The disqualification of Kogoya has highlighted the delicate balance between personal conviction and national sentiment in Indonesia’s public sphere, especially when international symbols are involved. As the pageant moves forward, observers say the incident may prompt a broader conversation about inclusivity, belief, and boundaries in Indonesian cultural representation.[]