Indonesian military investigates sailor seen at transgender beauty event in Thailand

Indonesia’s military headquarters says it will review the case if a violation is confirmed after a viral video appeared to show a naval sailor at an event in Thailand described online as a transgender beauty contest.

Military information center chief Maj. Gen. Muhammad Nas told Antara in Jakarta that every military assignment has a legal basis, procedure and applicable rules. “In principle, every assignment of military personnel has a basis, mechanism and applicable provisions. If something falls outside those provisions, it will certainly be evaluated,” he said.

Nas said the military was still tracing the person’s identity and assignment status. He declined to give details about the progress of the inquiry.

The video, circulated by several Instagram accounts, shows a man in blue clothing believed to be an Indonesian Navy uniform attending an event in Thailand. Social-media captions identified the event as a transgender beauty contest. The military has not confirmed whether the person is a serving sailor or whether the appearance breached any rules.

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In principle, every assignment of military personnel has a basis, mechanism and applicable provisions. If something falls outside those provisions, it will certainly be evaluated.