'It wasn't marriage, it was exploitation': 16-year-old model married Malaysian prince

News Topical, Digital Desk : Indonesian-American model Manohara Odelia has revealed a very sensitive truth about her life. She said that her marriage to Prince Tengku Fakhri of the Malaysian state of Kelantan was neither consensual nor legal. She was only 16 years old at the time.

Now 33, Manohara posted on Instagram, stating that her marriage was forced, unconsensual, and against the law. She appealed to the media to stop calling her the prince's ex-wife, as the term misrepresents the truth. According to Manohara, as she was a minor, she was in no position to give consent. She was subjected to psychological pressure, isolation, and her freedom was taken away.

Objection expressed on the word ' ex-  wife '

Manohara said the Indonesian term " mantan istri " (former wife) used by the media makes it appear as if this was a normal and legitimate marriage, whereas the reality is quite different. She said such language hides the truth about child marriage and exploitation.

She appealed to the Indonesian media, as well as digital platforms like Google and Wikipedia, to present her case in accurate and sensitive language. She said the use of incorrect terms was not only factually incorrect but also unethical journalism. "It wasn't a love affair, nor was the marriage of my own free will," Manohara wrote. "I had no freedom at that time, and I wasn't in a position to say yes or no."

When did you get married ?

Manohara married Malaysian Prince Tengku Fakhri in 2008. After the wedding, she lived in the royal palace in Kelantan, where she claims her every move was monitored. Contact with her parents was severely limited, and she was denied freedom to travel outside.

How did she manage to escape ?

In previous interviews, Manohara has also alleged physical and sexual abuse. She said she was punished for refusing to comply. In 2009, she managed to escape while traveling to a hotel in Singapore. With the help of her mother, local authorities, and the US Embassy, ​​she returned safely to Indonesia.

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