Komnas HAM asked to help with Gus Dur saga<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Saraswati, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In its latest display of loyalty to its disqualified presidential
\ncandidate Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid, the National Awakening
\nParty (PKB) sought on Thursday assistance from the National
\nCommission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM).<\/p>\n
Party leader Alwi Shihab said the PKB was expecting advice
\nfrom the commission over possible moves that could annul the
\ndecision by the General Elections Commission (KPU) to exclude Gus
\nDur from the presidential race.<\/p>\n
\"We come here not for the private interests of Gus Dur. It is
\nfor democracy and human rights protection in the country. We hope
\nthe infringement of civil rights of our citizens does not recur
\nin the future,\" Alwi told reporters.<\/p>\n
Accompanied by PKB deputy chairman Mahfud MD and lawyer Ikhsan
\nAbdullah, Alwi met with commission chairman Abdul Hakim Garuda
\nNusantara and his deputy, Zoemrotin K. Susilo.<\/p>\n
The PKB leaders also questioned Komnas HAM's stance on the
\nparty's report filed with it against KPU Decree No. 36\/2004 that
\nrequires all presidential and vice presidential candidates to
\npass a medical examination, which the party deems discriminatory.<\/p>\n
\"What will you do about the issue?\" Mahfud asked the rights
\ncampaigners.<\/p>\n
In his response, Abdul Hakim said Komnas HAM shared PKB's
\nview, saying the rights body was concerned about the dispute.<\/p>\n
\"The regulation looks fine but the methods to examine the
\ncandidates' physical and mental health and the results have
\nviolated the civil and political rights of citizens,\" Abdul Hakim
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to him, doctors have no authority to declare a
\ncandidate fit or unfit for the race because the medical tests
\nwere originally aimed at assessing a candidates' ability to take
\naccount of any decision they make before the law.<\/p>\n
The rights body has written to the KPU, asking about the case.
\nAbdul Hakim said he would send another letter.<\/p>\n
\"However, we cannot intervene in the political affairs of the
\nKPU,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Zoemrotin said that the KPU's decision to issue the regulation
\nwas \"irresponsible\".<\/p>\n
\"Before issuing the regulation, they should have discussed it
\nwith rights experts first. It's a big issue. We regret that the
\nKPU has used its own interpretation (of civil rights), which is
\nnot a responsible way of working,\" she said.<\/p>\n
PKB and Gus Dur have filed a complaint with the Constitutional
\nCourt, the Supreme Court and the Election Supervisory Committee
\n(Panwaslu) in a bid to annul the KPU regulation. The first two
\ninstitutions have refused to hear the case.<\/p>\n
Panwaslu has asked the KPU twice to attend a tripartite
\nmeeting to solve the dispute, but the elections commission has
\nnot responded.<\/p>\n
Ties between the KPU and Panwaslu have soured since.<\/p>\n
Although it has officially thrown its weight behind Salahuddin
\nWahid and his running mate Golkar Party's presidential candidate
\nGen. (ret) Wiranto, PKB has vowed to continue its efforts to help
\nGus Dur join the race.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/komnas-ham-asked-to-help-with-gus-dur-saga-1447893297",
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