The President is the highest leader in this country. To cope

The President is the highest leader in this country. To cope with such responsibility, he or she must be in good shape -- both physically and mentally.

Therefore, it is right the General Elections Commission (KPU), in cooperation with the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) has set health requirements for both the president and vice president.

However, there is a political party, which defies the health requirements, arguing that it is just a political maneuver to eliminate one of its presidential candidates. The party officials have accused the KPU of violating the 1945 Constitution. Worse, they say the KPU has denied the right of the disabled to become president. This is a violation of human rights, they say.

However, the KPU sees the health requirement as in line with the Article 6 of Law No. 23/2003 on the presidential and vice presidential elections, which stipulates presidential and vice presidential candidates must be physically and mentally ready to do their jobs.

Being healthy is an absolute prerequisite for a leader to be able to properly fulfill their role and the aspirations of the people.

-- Republika, Jakarta