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.