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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
Imelda (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 4:16pm
If being able to speak Indonesian and knowledge of our culture are not requirements, why didn't the judges just pick a much prettier and smarter foreign woman, give her an Indonesian passport and make her Miss Indonesia?
Shame on you judges, for picking an ignorant person (she's a teacher?) who wasn't the least interested in learning about her own heritage until now. Yes, fluency in English is a must, but being homeschooled and only using English at home should not be made excuses to dismiss the country you actually LIVE in. The moral of this story is: ignorance pays.
denny restria (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 3:21pm
*/ paralized
Aprisa (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 2:48pm
First thing first. The crowned girl shouldn't be self-aware. She better apply herself to Miss American. Or! She is very self-conscious PLUS understand Indonesia a lot, because she knows that Indonesia admires "orang indo" to death. That is, a person who's assumed to be as exotic as an Indonesian, and as white as Whites. (no offense)
Second. The pageant. What is Miss Indonesia? Who made the term "Miss Indonesia"? What's the criteria for Miss Indonesia? What will Miss Indonesia do? What will be her missions? Please, the pageant host should be clear about these all first. And if the host doesn't agree or just thinks about different definition... Please make a different beauty pageant.
Third. Indonesia, me, we Indonesian should be ashamed of this self-country image disaster. This is a disaster. We should do something. We should start loving our own country and culture now, and spread it to everyone.
The last. My emotional thoughts...
...
Oh. I'm so speechless. Let me just scream out dirty words in my office.
Cindy (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 2:20pm
Miss Indonesia who can't speak Indonesian?????
Give me a break!!!
This is stupid!!!
This is idiocy!!!
FOOLISH!!!
Pitoresmi Pujiningsih (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 2:08pm
Well, on the second thought, I think Miss Pageant is not a proper name for this kind of show. How about Miss-Hap, Miss-chief, or Miss-understood? Oh, even better: Miss-leading.
There. I say it out loud.
Nn (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 1:24pm
At least she will have no trouble in replying questions in English when the situation calls her to, especially in international pageant. Remember what happened to our miss Indonesia 2005?
Good luck Kerenina & God bless.
Obsever1 (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 11:18am
Im just amazed that a person holding 6 diplomas doesnt
know and isnt interested in her cultural heritage.
Well, I guess it just shows the self-esteem of Indonesian
identity. Be proud of your language, brown skin and
traditions!
Foreigner.
Eliza Kharisma (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 10:47am
Funny, A person who will represent Indonesia but don't know much about Indonesia and not fluent speak in bahasa "???". I think the judges has put "fluent in English" as a highest score above all to become Miss Indonesia. A good info for next participant in Miss Indonesia pageant.
Indonesian (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 9:22am
totally funny and fool, i agree with stan...
what is the real meaning of becoming miss Indonesia. simply, surely said, the one who really understand about Indonesia.
Dessy (not verified) — Wed, 06/10/2009 - 9:10am
This is truly a taste-less joke ! How on earth do the pitiful judges of this laughable beauty pageant justify their foolish decision ? Imagine a Chinese beauty contestnt who does not speak Chinese, a Miss USA who does not speak English fluently, a Miss Japan who does not speak japanese ! Only in Indonesia ! Shame on the Judges !