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Regent candidates withdraw, citing money politics
Toba Samosir regent and deputy regent candidates from the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), Asmadi Lubis and Jisman Hutapea, have canceled their candidacy due to a request of money from the party
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oba Samosir regent and deputy regent candidates from the Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI), Asmadi Lubis and Jisman Hutapea, have canceled their candidacy due to a request of money from the party.
"We were asked to pay Rp 1.6 billion [US$118,500] by PKPI's central executive board [DPP]. They said that the money would be used to fund the PKPI congress in Medan," said Jisman during a discussion in Jakarta on Monday as quoted by tempo.co.
According to Jisman, he initially received a recommendation from PKPI's branch executive board (DPC) to enter the running for the regional election in Toba Samosir. But later it turned out that the party's DPP had given the recommendation to two others, Poltak Sitorus and Robinson Tampubolon.
"The DPP then said that Poltak Sitorus had paid Rp 1.6 billion for the PKPI congress in Medan. So we were asked to give the same amount of money if we want to proceed with the candidacy," said Jisman.
Asmadi and Jisman refused to give the funds and later sought recommendation from the Gerindra Party.
"But the same thing happened again. We received the recommendation from Gerindra's DPC but their DPP asked for Rp 2.5 billion," said Jisman.
Gerindra's DPP, according to Jisman, has also received funds from Poltak Sitorus.
"We don't want to get involve in money politics. That's why we have decided to back away from the candidacy for the regional election," said Jisman.
According to a political observer from the Populi Center, Nico Harjanti, there are currently seven regional head elections that will be delayed until 2017.
"The refusal of parties to support some candidacies is not unlikely because of unresolved matters such as support funds," said Nico. (kes)(+++)
