KPU disqualifies Gus Dur from presidential ticket

KPU disqualifies Gus Dur from presidential ticket

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Surakarta/Surabaya

Defying demands from the public, the General Elections Commission
(KPU) dashed on Saturday any remaining hopes for former president
Abdurrahman Wahid to regain power after it disqualified him from
the election on July 5, citing health reasons.

This means that five pairings will contest the race for the
presidency.

The KPU said that Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Yusuf Kalla
from the Democratic Party, Gen. (ret) Wiranto and Solahuddin
Wahid from the Golkar Party, Amien Rais and Siswono Yudohusodo
from the National Mandate Party (PAN), Megawati Soekarnoputri and
Hasyim Muzadi from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI-P) and Hamzah Haz and Agum Gumelar from the United
Development Party (PPP) were eligible for the unprecedented,
direct presidential election.

Each candidate is now receiving special protection from the
National Police until the KPU announces the elected president and
vice president.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, who has impaired vision
and has suffered a series of strokes, said he would challenge the
decision in court. He said his team of lawyers would file a civil
lawsuit against the decision, demanding Rp 1 trillion (US$110
million) in damages, as well as lodging a criminal lawsuit
against the KPU members.

Speaking during a visit to the Central Java town of Surakarta,
he reiterated that he would not vote in the presidential polls.

His supporters also reacted angrily, but there were no reports
of violence resulting from the protest.

The National Commission on Human Rights had asked the KPU not
to discriminate against Gus Dur and let him run.

KPU member in charge of the presidential election Anas
Urbaningrum said the nine-member commission unanimously agreed
that, based on the results of a health examination produced by a
team of doctors from the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital, Gus Dur was
not physically fit.

He was nominated by the National Awakening Party, along with
Marwah Daud Ibrahim as his running mate.

KPU member Hamid Awaludin said, quoting Law No. 23/2003 on
presidential elections, that the decision was final and no legal
action could overrule it.

When asked what specific health problems had foiled Gus Dur's
candidacy, Hamid merely said: "The KPU doesn't have the authority
to disclose a candidate's medical records, in accordance with
international practice. But candidates who disagree with our
decision may reveal the results of their health examination to
the public, if they so wish."

Dozens of Gus Dur supporters in Jakarta and Surabaya had
demanded the KPU allow him to contest the election. Dozens of his
supporters in Semarang staged a hunger strike to protest the KPU
ruling that requires presidential and vice presidential aspirants
to undergo medical tests.

After learning that Gus Dur was declared ineligible, his
supporters, who had gathered in front of the KPU building in
Jakarta, vowed not to vote in the presidential election, and set
fire to their voter registration cards.

Gus Dur said the KPU's decision was politically motivated and
was the result of intervention by a high-ranking state official
who was currently traveling abroad.

"I don't wish to disclose the name, as I'm afraid my
supporters will take revenge against the person concerned," he
said.

Separately, PKB chairman Alwi Shihab said that the party had
prepared two challenges to the KPU decision.

He said that the PKB had prepared a team of 27 lawyers, which
would handle its legal tussle with the KPU. The team would also
mobilize support from Gus Dur's loyal followers to put pressure
on the commission.

PKB has also filed a complaint with the Election Supervisory
Committee (Panwaslu) against the KPU ruling.