National – House of Representatives Commission X member Reni Marlinawatin said the Miss World pageant, set to take place in Bali in September, would encourage sexual harassment against women in Indonesia.

"This contradicts President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's efforts to revitalize the nation's manners and character," Reni said on Friday as quoted by antaranews.com.

The United Development Party (PPP) politician said that vulgar shows on television played a significant role in encouraging sexual harassment and rape against women.

"The contest, which is very commercialized, will of course have a big impact. In the name of our nation, I reject the Miss World pageant," Reni said.

She added that the event violated Islamic values, and as an Islamic party, the PPP rejected the event. "I'm sure that the party also rejects [the event]. Everything that is against Islam will be rejected by the PPP," she said.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika earlier said that he would fully support the pageant, as the event's participants and organizers had agreed to abide by the administration's requirements related to the bikini ban.

There will be more than 130 contestants from 130 countries participating in the event, with more than 1,400 international journalists covering the show.