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Miss Indonesia's first plan is to learn Indonesian
Tue, 06/09/2009 10:47 AM | People
Reuters/Supri
JAKARTA: The newly crowned Miss Indonesia Kerenina Sunny Halim might have amazed people with her fluent English, but surprised just as many with her poor ability to speak Indonesian.
On the final night of the Miss Indonesia pageant last week, Kerenina needed a translator to help her understand the judges' questions. Kerenina admits this is a weakness but has promised to improve her Indonesian language skills.
"It's been hard for me *to speak Indonesian*, because I use English every day," says the half-American woman. "But I will learn. Indonesian is an easy language, as long as we're willing to learn."
Kerenina's brother, actor Steve Emmanuel (now Yusuf Iman), reveals that his sister was not exposed to Indonesian as a child because she didn't go to a formal school. "She was with homeschooling," Steve says. "She barely uses Indonesian at home, and doesn't go out often *so she can't practice Indonesian*."
The 23-year-old has also promised to learn more about the local culture in preparing for this year's Miss World competition in Johannesburg, South Africa. "Currently, I don't know much *about Indonesian culture*," says the girlfriend of actor Nino Fernandez. "But within six months, I'm going to learn about it all, because I represent Indonesia at the international level."
Kerenina, who holds six diplomas - in public relations; sales and marketing; primary school teaching; economics; performing arts; and music and art - won the competition over the two other finalists, Viviane (from Bali) and Melati Putri Kusuma Dewi (West Sulawesi). Kerenina impressed the judges with her fluent English, and was considered to meet the contest's criteria of MISS (Manners, Impressive, Smart and Social). - JP
What's On
- Festival of India
10/29/2009 12/15/2009 Balai Kartini & Umar Ismail Hall, Jakarta
- Imagemakers of the Future: Photography exhibition
10/10/2009 11/30/2009 Alila Ubud Desa Melinggih Kelod Payangan, Gianyar 80572, Bali - Timeless Change
11/05/2009 12/07/2009 Ganesha Gallery, Four Seasons Hotel Jimbaran, Bali. - Choreography of Colours; Sardono W. Kusumo's first solo painting exhibition
11/12/2009 12/12/2009 vivi yip art room Annexe Ciputra World Marketing Gallery Jalan Prof Satrio Kav 11, Casablanca
Liv (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 3:02pm
so the jury think that english is better than indonesia language, eh?
who are the jury anyway? correct me if i'm wrong, but this is indonesia competition, held at indonesia, the finalis are indonesian, the jury are indonesian too, right? or was?
so how come the winner cannot speak indonesian?
so pathetic,,,
black rose for the jury..
Liv (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 2:57pm
so the judge think that english is better than indonesia language, eh?
who is the judge anyway? correct me if i'm wrong, but this is indonesia competition, held at indonesia, the finalis are indonesian, and the judge are indonesian too, right? or was?
so how come the winner can not speak indonesian?
it's so pathetic...
black rose for the judge,,
Adrian Istani (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 1:53pm
It's truly in fact funny that the representative of a country can't even speak its language fluently..
The decision is questionable but sometimes if you want result, you can't always abide by idealism.. the most of all, she is willing to learn and if she's as smart as the judges claimed her to be, she should be good enough with 6 months... we'll see..
And guess what, all opinions may change though IF she somehow make an exceptional appearance in the miss universe :p
So I would refrain and keep the bashing for the sake of future..
Enji (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 1:19pm
last year we have a winner who thinks Indonesia is an island ( thank god she said beautiful with it ) , this year we have a winner who can't even speak Indonesian..what will we have for next year?? a winner who isn't even born or never stepfoot in Indonesia ?? such lame... let's just change the name from "Miss Indonesia beuty pageant" to "Miss will be Representing Indonesia in Miss Universe from wherever you are Beauty Pageant". they may be smart with all six degrees..but we Indonesian's are not dumb..!! i say once more..shame on them!!
Blah blah (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 11:54am
only in Indonesia.. God help us..
Rendy putra (not verified) — Wed, 06/17/2009 - 11:51am
it is insane!!!!!!
how come she will learn indonesian culture within 6 months??
that's mental...
next year choose appropriate judges..
Oh-em-gee (not verified) — Tue, 06/16/2009 - 2:37pm
*THAT* is retarded...
Tiffany (not verified) — Tue, 06/16/2009 - 8:22am
It s unbelieveable!! whats the assessment lol..!! Bravo Indonesia..one of the ambassador cant speak indonesian well and start to learn Indonesian culture !! well well.. who;s the jury for this !
hikkss...poor you
The writer (not verified) — Tue, 06/16/2009 - 4:51am
@ Miradiarsyah: Hi, the correct one is KERENINA. Although the RCTI bio writes her name as KARENINA, that's a mistake :) Checked it already --> go to Facebook, and search for her --> Kerenina Sunny Dige Halim. Thanks.
Maria Adrana (not verified) — Mon, 06/15/2009 - 12:42pm
Shame on her!
Can't you find a REAL INDONESIAN who can represent INDONESIA???
WHo is trully made in INDONESIA?? WHo would definately speak her own mother tongue BAHASA INDONESIA?? I bet that moron didn't know the history of Indonesia as well, i can tell she knows NOTHING about Indonesia!!Hey JUDGESSS!! you still gonna send her abroad???
shame on you too!!! you have no proud of being INDONESIAN! I regret this kind of beauty pageant. What an embarassment!!!