Miss World to be held in only Bali after protests

Government officials in Indonesia said Sunday's Miss World competition would be held only in Bali for security reasons after protests from hard-line Muslims. Several Islamic organizations protested staging of the event in the predominantly Muslim country, criticizing in particular the bikini contest, which is considered offensive in Indonesian culture, Antara News reported. "We have revised the security permit [allowing the pageant] to be held completely in Bali," Angung Laksono, coordinating minister for people's welfare, said at a press conference Saturday. "So changes have been made with regard to Miss World activities according to what the public wanted and the development interests of Indonesian tourism. So the event will proceed, but only in Bali. "Of course, it is not a problem if participants of the Miss World contest visit other tourist locations, such as Borobudur Temple or Yogya, while here," he added. He said the bikini contest has been banned from the competition. "What has become a problem are swimsuits or two-piece clothes or a bikini contest, which is required in other countries. Now it is absent. The committee has required it. Participants would even be asked to wear local costumes," said Sapta Nirawander, deputy minister of tourism and creative economy. Police have made extra security precautions in the event of protests during the competition, national police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo said.