Quick Info
| Profession | Model |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indonesian |
| Date of Birth | 14/08/2005 |
| Age | 20 years |
| Birthplace | Wamena, Indonesia |
Latest News about Merince Kogoya
29/06/2025
Merince Kogoya was disqualified from Miss Indonesia 2025 after a two-year-old video showing her waving an Israeli flag went viral on social media. The video, recorded during her studies abroad, sparked widespread outrage in Indonesia due to the country's strong pro-Palestine stance and lack of diplomatic relations with Israel. She was replaced by first runner-up Karmen Anastasya from her province.
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Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5' 5" (165 cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 50 Kg (110 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School |
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|---|---|
| College/University | Cenderawasih University, Jayapura, Indonesia |
| Degree | Bachelor's degree in Management |
Personal Life
| Religion | Christianity |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
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Career
| Miss Indonesia Controversy | In 2025, represented Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan) in Miss Indonesia 2025. She was disqualified during the quarantine period after a two-year-old video resurfaced showing her dancing and waving an Israeli flag with a caption reading 'Diligent for Sion, loyal to Jerusalem, standing for Israel.' The video, recorded while she was studying abroad, sparked significant backlash in Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel and strongly supports Palestine. Kogoya responded by claiming on Instagram that the video reflected her Christian beliefs rather than political views. She was quietly replaced by Karmen Anastasya, the first runner-up from her province, though the Miss Indonesia organization did not issue an official statement on her disqualification. |
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| Achievements | Merince has a passion for sports, notably basketball, winning several competitions. She played a central role in various community and spiritual activities during her academic years, including serving as the Secretary of Youth at her church and holding executive positions in the university's student organizations. |
Social Media
| https://www.instagram.com/kogoya_merry/ |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Merince grew up in Papua, Indonesia. | |
| 2. She stood first in the girls’ basketball competition at the Three X Three Honda DBL tournament in Papua Province in 2021. | |
| 3. Merince was the 2nd place winner in the same basketball event in 2022. | |
| 4. She represented her region and secured 3rd place in the Women's Basketball event at the 2022 Provincial Student Sports Week. | |
| 5. During school, she participated in the National Science Competition at the provincial level. | |
| 6. She has been involved in various leadership roles while studying, including Coordinator for Prayer groups and class head. | |
| 7. Merince is committed to community service, often visiting NGOs and spending time with orphans. | |
| 8. An avid traveler, she shares her travel experiences widely on social media. |