Indonesian presidential hopefuls get health check-up
Updated
The presidential election in Indonesia will be held next month and all the candidates have been preparing themselves.
Since 2004, all eligible candidates have been required to go through a set of stringent medical examinations, which includes physical and psychological checks.
Presenter: Anna Lumbangaol
Speakers:Former Indonesian General Wiranto Head of the Hanura Party;Supriyantoro, the Head of Gatot Subroto Hospital; Anies Bawedan, Rector of Paramadina University, Indonesia.
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LUMBANGAOL: Under the current presidential election law in Indonesia, all candidates must obtain a health certificate from a hospital appointed by the Electoral Commission, before they can proceed to compete in the upcoming election in July. The Commission has appointed the Indonesian Doctors Association to oversee the medical checkups on all three presidential candidates and their running mates.
Fachmi Idris from the Indonesian Doctors Association, told the Jakarta Post that the candidates must not have certain disease that could potentially impact on their physical ability throughout the next five years. They are also required to demonstrate strong mental skills, good observation capacities and analytical and communication skills. The complete medical examination could take up to seven hours.
In the middle of his break during the test, former General Wiranto, who is running as a candidate for vice-president from his Jusuf Kalla from Golkar, suggested that the test is more about physical fitness.
WIRANTO: Everyone would have some knowledge about their health condition. If one thinks he is fit, then he does not need to worry, particularly if he has a routine medical checkup every six months. I think there is really no reason to worry at all.
LUMBANGAOL: The health test, which included 19 times of examinations were undertaken at the Gatot Subroto Hospital, and involved more than 40 doctors and psychologists. They aim to measure whether all the candidates meet the standard health requirements.
Supriyantoro, the Head of the hospital.
SUPRIYANTORO: If any perimeter of the ten aspects is below the requirements. For example, if the eye test shows a result that is below the required standard or other tests with the hearing, the lung, the heart has a result that is below the standard, then it will be filed as a disability or abnormality.
LUMBANGAOL: The law that required presidential candidates to go through a health check had only been introduced in 2003. It drew some degree of scepticism's that the medical examination was merely a formality.
Indonesian political analyst, Anies Bawedan.
BAWEDAN: Eh, it can be true. On the one hand, it seems most of the candidates were healthy and that numerous medical checkups it becomes more like a formality. But on the other hand, there are various tests were being undertaken. So it is the Indonesian Medical Doctors Association that offers serious process. They take it seriously as various medical tests. I think all candidates that are preparing themself to come out clear through this test. So it is a real test, however, since all understand it may require you to be fit and we sort of know for certain that most of the candidates will pass.
