TEMPO.CO, Kupang - Sebastian Salang, a Manggarai regent candidate in East Nusa Tenggara, decided to cancel his candidacy in the upcoming simultaneous regional heads elections. Sebastian admitted that his reason to withdraw from the election was due to a request of a substantial amount of money from political parties.

"I decided to withdraw [from the election] because the amount of money requested [by political parties] is huge," Sebastian told Tempo on Wednesday, August 5, 2015.

Sebastian claimed that he would run in the regional head election with an intention to develop the disadvantaged regency. Sebastian added that he wanted to run in the election through a political party's nomination, instead of as an independent candidate.

"I didn't want to run as an independent candidate. I want to be nominated by political parties because I've been pushing political party reform for the sake of the people," Sebastian said.

Therefore, Sebastian admitted that he was disappointed with party elites' behaviors.

"The country's democracy has been tainted by political parties," Sebastian asserted.

According to Sebastian, political parties must nominate candidates based on their electability and track record instead of the amount of money they will 'donate' to the party

"Therefore, I immediately resigned from my candidacy," Sebastian said without revealing the political party that requested the money.

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