Other Publications
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
Arief L (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 7:51pm
I don't know what's more funny. Indonesia's Miss World representative can't speak Bahasa and know little about her country or the reactions in this "Comments". I mean no offense. Honestly, it's only a beauty pageant, people! It has as much importance as the Eurovision Song Contest. No offense to those Europeans.
For me the news is FUNNY. Karenina says "Indonesian is an easy language," Can't be that easy if she yet to be able to speak Bahasa. (Please tell me she has at least an Indonesian Passport and has eaten some Indonesian food).
Anyway, Beauty Pageants are not my cup of tea but I mustn't spoil other people's enjoyment. On that note, Miss Kerenina Sunny Halim, if you're reading, (seeing this is an English language Indonesian newspaper site, there's a chance you are) I wish you the best of luck in this year's Miss World competition.
Alejandro (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 11:28am
So what gituLoe? The problem is Indonesia is that there is not a strong national language. The advantage of this is that compared to other Asia countries, many Indonesians can speak english. The disadvantage is that English is seen as a superior language to Bahasa. This is proliferated by artists and presenters who feel the need to throw out as many english phrases as they can in their speech. It does not surprise me that there are many who live in Jakarta and elsewhere who never have to use Bahasa. That is all I have to say. Thank you Banget
Satriyaeddy — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 10:41am
What a mess, Miss Indonesia!
Karen (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 9:37am
!? Who are the Judges !? Were they bribed or anything ? Or simply unable to shake off their personal sense of 'minder wardeg-ness' ? I thought we were freed from the Dutch and British occupation....50 years ago ???
Sura (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 3:10am
And I thought we are Indonesians speak bahasa Indonesia...
This is definitely a BAD joke
The good thing is: She makes a lot of Indonesians feel their nationalism arise...
Willy jakarta (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 2:50am
this is the most absurd thing i have heard in my life. how can the judges allow such woman to win when clearly she cannot communicate in bahasa. kerenina should have brushed up in her language skills before joing the pagent. how embaressing to have a translator translate what your thoughts. get rid of her. if she cannot commnicate in bahasa get her out. how can she carry out her duties throuhout indonesia? bring a translator at all times? ludicrous! what a joke this kerenina is. i don't care how many degrees you have. your participating in this pagent and not being able to speak bahsa just shows how ignorant she is. or maybe how ignorant the judges are for allowing her to win. get rid of her. atleast until she learns to speak bahasa.
Jumar (not verified) — Thu, 06/11/2009 - 1:11am
Amazing, rarely a comment her when articles are about corruption, policy, elections or terrorism, but everyone comes out of the woodwork about a beauty pagent.
Indria (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 9:56pm
Ferdinand, she has 23 years to learn Indonesian language and its culture but she missed the chances until she crowned to be a miss Indonesia then she is suddenly interested to learn Indonesian language and culture! That's what I call a person who is opportunist, arrogant and stupid (23 years being Indonesian and still can not speak Indonesian fluently?). There are many Indonesian women who are more educated, speaking English fluently, having been working overseas, and even more beautiful but they are smart enough not to participate in pageant contest.
Just abolish this pageant contest. It's simply stupid and a waste of money. I just hope it is not sponsored by my tax money.
Andiansyah (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 7:59pm
She can not speak Indonesia?!?! what a shame!!!
Ferdinand (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 4:49pm
I agree that the new miss Indonesia should learn quickly to know more about Indonesian history and culture, but I think that having seen many other "dombo's" win the Miss World title who didn't speak any English I think she will do much better in representing Indonesia. I think that a country can only be represented by a contestant who is also smart and speaks fluent English. Too many times judges only look at beauty. We don't need another miss who anly can say in English that she wants " Worldpeace" and can't answer another question in English. It is time that more Indonesians going to understand how important it is to speak good English. In China 300 million people speak good English. In Bali not 1 %!
Ferdinand