KPU disqualifies Gus Dur from presidential ticket<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta\/Surakarta\/Surabaya<\/p>\n
Defying demands from the public, the General Elections Commission
\n(KPU) dashed on Saturday any remaining hopes for former president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid to regain power after it disqualified him from
\nthe election on July 5, citing health reasons.<\/p>\n
This means that five pairings will contest the race for the
\npresidency.<\/p>\n
The KPU said that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Yusuf Kalla
\nfrom the Democratic Party, Gen. (ret) Wiranto and Solahuddin
\nWahid from the Golkar Party, Amien Rais and Siswono Yudohusodo
\nfrom the National Mandate Party (PAN), Megawati Soekarnoputri and
\nHasyim Muzadi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
\n(PDI-P) and Hamzah Haz and Agum Gumelar from the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) were eligible for the unprecedented,
\ndirect presidential election.<\/p>\n
Each candidate is now receiving special protection from the
\nNational Police until the KPU announces the elected president and
\nvice president.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, who has impaired vision
\nand has suffered a series of strokes, said he would challenge the
\ndecision in court. He said his team of lawyers would file a civil
\nlawsuit against the decision, demanding Rp 1 trillion (US$110
\nmillion) in damages, as well as lodging a criminal lawsuit
\nagainst the KPU members.<\/p>\n
Speaking during a visit to the Central Java town of Surakarta,
\nhe reiterated that he would not vote in the presidential polls.<\/p>\n
His supporters also reacted angrily, but there were no reports
\nof violence resulting from the protest.<\/p>\n
The National Commission on Human Rights had asked the KPU not
\nto discriminate against Gus Dur and let him run.<\/p>\n
KPU member in charge of the presidential election Anas
\nUrbaningrum said the nine-member commission unanimously agreed
\nthat, based on the results of a health examination produced by a
\nteam of doctors from the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Gus Dur was
\nnot physically fit.<\/p>\n
He was nominated by the National Awakening Party, along with
\nMarwah Daud Ibrahim as his running mate.<\/p>\n
KPU member Hamid Awaludin said, quoting Law No. 23\/2003 on
\npresidential elections, that the decision was final and no legal
\naction could overrule it.<\/p>\n
When asked what specific health problems had foiled Gus Dur's
\ncandidacy, Hamid merely said: \"The KPU doesn't have the authority
\nto disclose a candidate's medical records, in accordance with
\ninternational practice. But candidates who disagree with our
\ndecision may reveal the results of their health examination to
\nthe public, if they so wish.\"<\/p>\n
Dozens of Gus Dur supporters in Jakarta and Surabaya had
\ndemanded the KPU allow him to contest the election. Dozens of his
\nsupporters in Semarang staged a hunger strike to protest the KPU
\nruling that requires presidential and vice presidential aspirants
\nto undergo medical tests.<\/p>\n
After learning that Gus Dur was declared ineligible, his
\nsupporters, who had gathered in front of the KPU building in
\nJakarta, vowed not to vote in the presidential election, and set
\nfire to their voter registration cards.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur said the KPU's decision was politically motivated and
\nwas the result of intervention by a high-ranking state official
\nwho was currently traveling abroad.<\/p>\n
\"I don't wish to disclose the name, as I'm afraid my
\nsupporters will take revenge against the person concerned,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Separately, PKB chairman Alwi Shihab said that the party had
\nprepared two challenges to the KPU decision.<\/p>\n
He said that the PKB had prepared a team of 27 lawyers, which
\nwould handle its legal tussle with the KPU. The team would also
\nmobilize support from Gus Dur's loyal followers to put pressure
\non the commission.<\/p>\n
PKB has also filed a complaint with the Election Supervisory
\nCommittee (Panwaslu) against the KPU ruling.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpu-disqualifies-gus-dur-from-presidential-ticket-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}