In a powerful social media statement, Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia has levied serious allegations against the Malaysian royal family, claiming she was coerced into a marriage with Prince Tengku Fakhry as a minor. The 33-year-old publicly challenged the narrative surrounding her past, urging media and platforms to stop using terms that legitimise what she describes as a traumatic, non-consensual union.
Allegations of Coercion and a Forced Union
Odelia took to Instagram to set the record straight, vehemently denying that her relationship with Prince Tengku Muhammad Fakhry Petra was ever romantic or consensual. She was married to the prince, son of the Sultan of Malaysia's Kelantan state, in 2008. In her post, she emphasised her status as a minor at the time and the complete absence of free will.
"What occurred during my teenage years was not a romantic relationship, not a consensual relationship, and not a legal marriage," Odelia wrote. She explained that she was in a situation marked by coercion and a stark lack of freedom, which robbed her of any real choice or capacity to give meaningful consent.
A Plea for Ethical Language and Accurate Reporting
A central part of Odelia's appeal was directed at media outlets and digital platforms. She specifically rejected the use of the term "mantan istri" (ex-wife) or its English equivalent, arguing that it falsely implies a lawful and voluntary adult relationship.
"Using the term 'mantan istri' implies a lawful, voluntary, adult relationship and marriage. That implication is false," she stated. Odelia called this labelling a distortion of reality and an act of unethical journalism. She explicitly asked Indonesian media, editors, and platforms like Google and Wikipedia to cease using this mischaracterisation and to adopt language that truthfully reflects the realities of child marriage and abuse.
Escape from the Palace and Lasting Trauma
Odelia's account of her life during the marriage is harrowing. In recent interviews, she has described facing sexual violence and harassment. Her freedom was severely restricted; she lived under constant surveillance within the palace and had limited contact with her parents.
This chapter of her life ended in 2009 when she managed to flee from a hotel in Singapore during a royal trip. With the crucial assistance of her mother, local authorities, and the US embassy, she successfully returned to Indonesia, escaping the situation she was trapped in.
By sharing her story now, Odelia aims to reclaim her narrative and hold both the powerful institutions and the media accountable for how they frame stories of coercion and exploitation, particularly when minors are involved.
