Funcinpec officials react to critics leveled against royal family members

19 March 2006
By Sary Roat
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

Senior Funcinpec party officials have reacted to printed local newspaper editorials questioning the involvement of royal family members in politics.

Kampuchea Thmey, a popular newspaper in the country, published an editorial in which it details the lightning changes in the current political scene which had pushed the Funcinpec party to the brink of instability.

However, the most serious charges [brought up by the newspaper] were leveled against royal family members who are involved in numerous mishaps such as mistress problems, incompetence, clannishness, and corruption.

The newspaper also reported another incident within Funcinpec where its own members no longer respect the nomination of Prince Norodom Chakrapong as secretary-general made by Prince Norodom Ranariddh. This rejection forced Prince Chakrapong to quit his secretary-general position.

The newspaper indicated that the lack of respect on the royal family stems from the fact that royal family members are involved on the political scene.

Serei Kosal, a high ranking Funcinpec party official, said that he disagrees with those who want to prevent royal family members from being involved in politics.

Mr. Serei Kosal said that the involvement of royal family members did not just start recently, and they also enjoyed support from the people and politicians.

Mr. Serai Kosal said: “… I believe that this rumor is baseless because the CPP has a strong stand, and it will maintain the cooperation…”

Democrats and human rights supporters declared that this issue depends on the decision of the royal family members themselves, they have to decide whether to accept being looked down or not when they are conducting politics like normal citizens.

Kem Sokha, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (CCHR), said: “Threfore, it depends on the determination of our royal family, it’s whether it wants to get involved in the political scene with the normal citizens or it wants something else…”

Local newspapers have reported public opinions in which some said that in order to maintain the respect for the royal family, a law should be instituted to ban its participation in politics in order to maintain the reputation of the Cambodian royal family, however, they also said that even if the reputation is strictly maintained, there is no way to keep it always perfect.