0 Pasti-Kerta will be fit for election

Gubernatorial candidate and incumbent Made Mangku Pastika and his running mate I Ketut Sudikerta, known jointly as Pasti-Kerta, are confident they are physically healthy enough for the coming gubernatorial race in May. Governor Pastika and Deputy Badung Regent Sudikerta, had medical checkups at the Wings International of Sanglah Hospital in Denpasar on Thursday. The medical examination is required by the Bali General Elections Commission (KPUD) for all candidates for the election, scheduled for May 15. 

The candidates must be declared healthy by a team from the Indonesian Doctors’ Association (IDI) before the KPUD Bali can accept them as official candidates. The IDI team comprised of 10 specialists tasked with assessing both the physical and mental condition of all candidates. Another pair — AAN Puspayoga-Nyoman Sukrawan had their tests on Friday. The order for their medical tests is based on the timing of their respective registrations. Pasti-Kerta had registered earliest. 

The five-hour test consisted of various medical assessments starting with heart, lungs, digestion system, ear nose throat (THT), emotional intelligence, to their psychiatric condition. “It is an easy test, easier than the tests for police academy I had before,” Pastika, the retired three-star police general, said. Pastika explained that during the test, he had to answer 567 psychometric questions within two hours. “But I had completed the question 35 minutes before the deadline. No problem. It’s easy,” he smiled. 

Pastika was confident that the team of doctors would state that he was health despite his heart problem. Last year, Pastika was hospitalized in Singapore a few times. “I am optimistic. There is nothing to be worried about. Everything will be running well. My heart is healthier now after the treatment.” Pastika had heart surgery in Singapore Pastika trusts the IDI team. “I think there is no problem with my health. I certainly hope so. But I don’t know exactly. 

The team consists of medical experts in their fields. They know better than us,” he said Sudikerta also conveyed his confidence. “I am sure that we have no problem with this health test. I am very optimistic,” Sudikerta said. The deputy chairman of IDI team, Dr. Dewa Putu Gede Purwa Samatra told journalist that the results of all the tests would be handed over to KPUD next week. “The health tests ran quite smoothly. After completing all the tests, the team will reach a conclusion and hand over the results to the commission,” Purwa said. 

Chairman of KPUD Bali Ketut Sukawati Lanang Perbawa said that KPUD only scheduled health test for two pairs of candidates. Meanwhile, the last candidate I Gde Winasa and his running mate I Putu Sudiartana failed to complete the administration requirements by the deadline on March 6. For the checkups, the commission allocated Rp 15 million of its budget for each candidate. “We will announce the results on March 29, whether the candidates met all of the requirements and are ready for the gubernatorial election,” Lanang Perbawa said.

source : bali daily