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.