Overview

• Merince Kogoya was removed from Miss Indonesia 2025 after a two-year-old video of her dancing with an Israeli flag went viral, triggering intense public backlash in Indonesia.
• The clip, recorded during her overseas studies, featured the caption “Diligent for Sion, loyal to Jerusalem, standing for Israel,” in direct contrast to Indonesia’s strong pro-Palestinian stance and lack of diplomatic ties with Israel.
• Organizers quietly installed first runner-up Karmen Anastasya to fill Kogoya’s spot in the competition.
• In an Instagram Story, Kogoya insisted the footage reflected her Christian faith and was not intended as a political endorsement.
• The incident has prompted discussion over the boundaries between personal religious expression and national geopolitical sensitivities.