Health rule upheld for presidential candidates

Health rule upheld for presidential candidates

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Chief Justice Bagir Manan said that the Supreme Court's
decision to uphold a ruling that would effectively oust former
president Abdurrahman Wahid from the presidential race was final.

"The court's decision is final. The Chief Justice does not
have the power to review it," he said late on Friday as reported
by Antara.

Bagir had met with PKB leaders M. Mahfud MD, AS Hikam and
Arifin Junaedi at his official residence in South Jakarta.

Abdurrahman said he had no intention of running in the July 5
direct presidential election after being informed by his lawyers
last week that the Supreme Court had turned down a request for a
judicial review of the ruling on health requirements for
presidential and vice presidential candidates that was issued by
the General Elections Commission (KPU).

Like other presidential aspirants, Abdurrahman underwent the
medical examinations required by the ruling. The KPU has yet to
announce the results to the public.

The request for a judicial review was filed by the National
Awakening Party (PKB), which was cofounded by Abdurrahman, or Gus
Dur as he is familiarly known.

The party argued that the ruling violated the Constitution as
it discriminated against the disabled, including Gus Dur, whose
vision is impaired.

Some groups, including disabled people, have protested against
the ruling in solidarity with Gus Dur.

Bagir denied that Gus Dur had asked him personally to review
the Supreme Court ruling.

Wednesday is the deadline for the registration of presidential
and vice presidential candidates with the Commission.