President Joko Widodo’s running mate Ma’ruf Amin is 75 (76 by the time of April’s election), so there have, understandably, been more questions raised about his physical capability to be the country’s second-in-command than for all of the other candidates, who are much younger than he is.
It probably didn’t help that the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) chairman hasn’t been hitting the campaign trail much recently due to, by his own admission, a twisted ankle. But media mogul Erick Thohir, who is leading the Jokowi-Ma’ruf campaign team, has played down suggestions that Ma’ruf is physically unfit for the job.
“It’s understandable, the other day I slept in an awkward position and when I woke up I couldn’t raise my arm straight. This kind of thing is normal and there’s no problem,” Erick told the media after visiting Ma’ruf in his Jakarta home today, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
“Our official campaign starts in January. That’s when we’re going all out.”
The campaign period, as regulated by the General Elections Commission (KPU), officially began on September 23 and Ma’ruf himself had been touring the country to campaign before twisting his ankle this month and reportedly spending most of his time at home recently as a result.
If his ticket prevails, Ma’ruf would be the oldest vice president ever at the conclusion of his term, when he will be 81. That said, Ma’ruf passed the KPU’s medical test in August and was declared physically fit for the vice presidency.
None of the other candidates have had their health called into question since the nominations were made official in August. Ma’ruf’s running mate, President Jokowi, is still 57 and hasn’t had any reported health problems during his presidency. Meanwhile, his rival Prabowo Subianto, 67, passed KPU’s medical test with flying colors as did his running mate, 49-year-old Sandiaga Uno, who is known to be an avid runner.
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