F'pec Prince Norodom Sirivudh bites the dust

F'pec Prince Norodom Sirivudh had lost all his government position in the latest round of vote at the National Assembly. He was not even able to command all the 26 F'pec votes to support him. (Photo RFA)

Cambodian royalist party leader loses post as deputy PM

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's royalist FUNCINPEC party leader Prince Norodom Sirivuth, half-brother of former King Norodom Sihanouk, lost his position as deputy prime minister on Tuesday at a vote of confidence in the National Assembly.

Only 17 of the 111 lawmakers attending the session voted in favor, while 90 voted against him, two votes in abstention and two others were invalid, according to the result of the vote.

"The National Assembly has not granted a vote of confidence to him," said Honorary Chairman of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP)Heng Samrin, who was elected president of the parliament at Tuesday's session.

Nheik Bun Chhay of the royalist FUNCINPEC party, and Deputy Prime Ministers Sar Kheng and Tea Banh of the CPP were also among Tuesday's vote.

Prince Norodom Sirivuth and Nheik Bun Chhay were fired from their government positions as co-ministers for interior and defense after Hun Sen announced early this month to streamline hiscabinet and to eliminate the positions of co-ministers for the interior and defense ministries.
Besides Sar Kheng and Tea Banh, Nheik Bun Chhay also retained his deputy prime minister position with 106 votes.

Cambodia has its co-ministers for the defense and interior since 1993 when the country has its first government.

Hun Sen said earlier that eliminating the position of co-ministers is aimed to improve the efficiency of the government. Enditem