Nhiek Bun Chhay (Photo: RFA)By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
"...Funcinpec will continue to strengthen
its cooperation with the CPP
—Statement from the Funcinpec Secretariat
its cooperation with the CPP
—Statement from the Funcinpec Secretariat
Nhiek Bun Chhay has told senior Funcinpec officials that he will step down from his position as the embattled party's secretary-general, royalist sources said Thursday.
Nhiek Bun Chhay, who had faced a growing tide of dissent from officials inside his own party claiming he was too close to Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling CPP, made the announcement during a meeting at party headquarters on Wednesday evening, participants said.
The secretary-general has asked Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh to replace him with royalist lawmaker and former Phnom Penh governor Chhim Seak Leang, they said.
Chhim Seak Leang said on Thursday that he will accept the position. "Whether I am able to do the work or not let’s wait and see," he said.
Nhiek Bun Chhay could not be reached for comment, and officials said no date has been set for the proposed changeover.
Ok Socheat, Prince Ranariddh's public affairs adviser, said Chhim Seak Leang is well-suited to the job as he enjoys popular support within the party.
"A lot of people will want to help him. He can take the position. With Nhiek Bun Chhay, no one wanted to help him," he said.
Following Nhiek Bun Chhays proposed departure, Funcinpec will be able to operate independently of the CPP, he said. "We are not afraid of the ruling party," he added.
Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the CPP does not comment on reshuffles within other parties. But the CPP will accept Chhim Seak Leang's appointment, he said.
Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said that if Nhiek Bun Chhay is replaced, Funcinpec will be better able to stand up to its coalition partner.
"So far, the secretary-general has never responded to the removals [of Funcinpec officials]," he said.
The same day that Nhiek Bun Chhay announced his plans, Funcinpec issued a public statement denying that it wants to form an "Alliance of Nationalists" with the Sam Rainsy Party.
Funcinpec's general secretariat said media reports of the proposed alliance, which according to Ok Socheat was suggested by Prince Ranariddh, have "seriously affected Funcinpec's reputation."
The alliance "is not Funcinpec's stance. The secretariat would like to clarify that Funcinpec will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the CPP," the statement said.
Ok Socheat said Prince Ranariddh still supports the proposed alliance, but said it was too early to comment further.
A source who attended Wednesday's meeting said Funcinpec officials are now keen to restore the relationship between Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh.
"We want to build bridges," the source said. "Funcinpec is cooperating with the CPP. The CPP has not abandoned us yet," he said.
Meng Rita, SRP acting secretary-general, said he believes Prince Ranariddh still wants to form the alliance, adding the SRP is still considering the proposal.
Nhiek Bun Chhay, who had faced a growing tide of dissent from officials inside his own party claiming he was too close to Prime Minister Hun Sen and the ruling CPP, made the announcement during a meeting at party headquarters on Wednesday evening, participants said.
The secretary-general has asked Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh to replace him with royalist lawmaker and former Phnom Penh governor Chhim Seak Leang, they said.
Chhim Seak Leang said on Thursday that he will accept the position. "Whether I am able to do the work or not let’s wait and see," he said.
Nhiek Bun Chhay could not be reached for comment, and officials said no date has been set for the proposed changeover.
Ok Socheat, Prince Ranariddh's public affairs adviser, said Chhim Seak Leang is well-suited to the job as he enjoys popular support within the party.
"A lot of people will want to help him. He can take the position. With Nhiek Bun Chhay, no one wanted to help him," he said.
Following Nhiek Bun Chhays proposed departure, Funcinpec will be able to operate independently of the CPP, he said. "We are not afraid of the ruling party," he added.
Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said the CPP does not comment on reshuffles within other parties. But the CPP will accept Chhim Seak Leang's appointment, he said.
Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, said that if Nhiek Bun Chhay is replaced, Funcinpec will be better able to stand up to its coalition partner.
"So far, the secretary-general has never responded to the removals [of Funcinpec officials]," he said.
The same day that Nhiek Bun Chhay announced his plans, Funcinpec issued a public statement denying that it wants to form an "Alliance of Nationalists" with the Sam Rainsy Party.
Funcinpec's general secretariat said media reports of the proposed alliance, which according to Ok Socheat was suggested by Prince Ranariddh, have "seriously affected Funcinpec's reputation."
The alliance "is not Funcinpec's stance. The secretariat would like to clarify that Funcinpec will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the CPP," the statement said.
Ok Socheat said Prince Ranariddh still supports the proposed alliance, but said it was too early to comment further.
A source who attended Wednesday's meeting said Funcinpec officials are now keen to restore the relationship between Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh.
"We want to build bridges," the source said. "Funcinpec is cooperating with the CPP. The CPP has not abandoned us yet," he said.
Meng Rita, SRP acting secretary-general, said he believes Prince Ranariddh still wants to form the alliance, adding the SRP is still considering the proposal.
2 comments:
Most this Funcipec central committee full of scum bags...nothing but traitors and power hungers gang. All are opportunist!
Last time Nhek Bun Chhay came to Australia, was hiding himself as this bloody guy so scare to face the reality and he had betrayed what he told Khmer people privately in Sydney that only Bong Sam Rainsy can lead Cambodia, in his second last visit. How can you help to develop Cambodia, if most of the time you busy drinking, in the clubs with girls and your face appearing on boxing screen all the time? You are sick!Most this Funcipec central committee full of scum bags...nothing but traitors and power hungers gang. All are opportunist!
Last time Nhek Bun Chhay was in Australia, was hiding himself as this bloody guy so scare to face the reality and he had betrayed his own word…this what he said privately in Sydney to the group of his Funcipec supporters and SRP.. “Only Bong Sam Rainsy can lead Cambodia to prosperity”, in his second last visit. How can you help to develop Cambodia, if most of the time you busy drinking, in the clubs with girls and your face appearing on boxing screen all the time? You are sick!
This is a sign of a dead end road of F'pec Party in Khmer Political Arena.
Even with the changing of its Party's Leader, but still......Unless they adopt a new party policy and directive with the true spirity of serving interests of Cambodia and her people instead of looking after their interests. Obviously, CPP's people know exatcly what they are doing and with all the directives from their bosses in Hanoi, but does F'pec know what you are doing? U stupid ignorant and incompetent statemen.
Dallas, Texas
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