NEWLY-crowned 2012 Miss International Fiji Kesa Kacilala is still in the country even though the Miss International pageant has started in Okinawa, Japan.
Miss International Fiji national pageant director Anshu Lata said Ms Kacilala was to have left the country for Japan on September 29 but her flight was delayed as a result of a hurricane in Japan.
"The pageant has already started and they are doing their best to fly Ms Kacilala to Japan because the pageant crowning is scheduled for October 21," said Ms Lata.
Ms Kacilala, who was crowned last month, is prepared for the pageant but Ms Lata said they were awaiting a response from the Prime Minister's Office.
While the office has not received a request, the Prime Minister's PSO Major Aseri Rokoura has offered assistance to personally arrange a flight for Ms Kacilala.
"I am personally dealing with the issue. There are only direct flights to Hong Kong but no direct flight to Japan," said Major Rokoura.
Ms Lata said if the matter was not sorted they would send Ms Kacilala to the pageant next year.
"This will also give her ample time to prepare well," said Ms Lata.