Bali in Two Pieces

(8/24/2009)

Yoke Paramita Djati Walujo, who hails from the island of Bali, has won the "Miss Bikini" title during the Miss Tourism Queen International 2009 Contest held in Xinyang, China.

So far, so good. But, according to the Bali Tourism Authority and as reported by detik.com, there is more than a little confusion about the winner, the contest she entered and honor she secured for her island.

Ida Bagus Subhisku, the Head of the Bali Tourism Service (KADIPARDA), told detik.com: "We've never heard a report from an agent, organization or individual regarding the bikini contest in China. And, we have never issued our recommendation for this contest."

Admitting more than a little confusion, Subhisku told the press that his office recently undertook tourism promotions in 3 cities in China, explaining "in that program, we only presented Balinese dance and cultural performances; I don't know if one of our citizens has followed a bikini contest in China."

The head of the Bali Cultural Office, Ida Bagus Sedawa, also claimed to know nothing of the bikini contest.

Until recently, Indonesia chose not to participate in international beauty pageants, viewing such event as demeaning to young women. And, while Indonesian participants are gradually beginning to compete in these events, many elements of Indonesian society still have strong objections to Indonesian girls appearing in swimsuit competitions.

Whether or not her participation in the contest received any official endorsement, the Xinhua News Agency confirms that the shapely Miss Walujo defeated 120 girls from around the world to be voted the best in a bikini in the contest staged on August 17, 2009, in the province of Henan, China.

According to reports, the contest has been held annually since 1949, hosted on a rotating basis by various countries.

In winning the "bikini contest," Miss Walujo outranked a Russian contestant who came in second, followed by another beauty from the Ukraine.