The CPP claims that Funcinpec MP Rattana Devi, Prince Ranariddh's daughter, has seldom attended the National Assembly since July 2004 even though she still receives $1,250 in monthly salary (Photo: AsiaWeek)Thursday, October 5, 2006
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
National Assembly President Heng Samrin accused four Funcinpec lawmakers of months-long absences from parliament Wednesday, and said the ruling CPP would support a law barring royals from politics.
Heng Samrin, who is also CPP honorary president, said Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Princess Norodom Vacheara, Prince Norodom Sirivudh and Princess Norodom Rattana Devi have all been absent from parliament for months on end.
"They are lawmakers but they are not responsible about their jobs. They always ask to be absent. They should stay outside politics if they don't fulfill their duties," he said.
The CPP will not introduce a bill to bar royals from politics. However, the ruling party would encourage other parties or royalists themselves to do so, said Heng Samrin, adding that the CPP would then support such legislation.
"We want to place royal families at the highest level [in society]," he maintained, "and want them to be neutral so people respect them more."
Prince Ranariddh has not attended parliament since he resigned as Assembly president in March, Heng Samrin said.
Prince Sirivudh has rarely been seen there since he was removed from his position as co-minister of interior the same month. Princess Vacheara also appears to have rarely visited parliament since March, while Princess Rattana Devi, Prince Ranariddh's daughter, has seldom attended since July 2004.
Prince Ranariddh was outside Cambodia on Wednesday. Attempts to contact Prince Sirivudh, Princess Vacheara and Princess Rattana Devi were unsuccessful.
Prince Ranariddh's spokesman Chea Chanboribo declined to comment on the allegations against the Funcinpec lawmakers, but accused Heng Samrin of double standards.
"Samdech Heng Samrin never commented when opposition lawmakers boycotted the session," he said. He also noted that the Constitution allows royals to participate in politics.
"[Heng Samrin] must read the Constitution and comply with it," he said.
Funcinpec lawmaker Princess Sisowath Santa, who regularly attends parliament along with fellow Funcinpec parliamentarians including Monh Saphan and Khieu San, said there is no reason to bar royals from politics.
"We participate in politics with great responsibility," she said.
The absences of some royal lawmakers may come down to the fact that they have other work to do, Princess Santa said, adding that she attends parliament because she enjoys her work.
"I must be responsible because I am a lawmaker," she added.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, head of the fledgling Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party, said Heng Samrin's comments could indicate that the CPP is afraid of the royal family.
"This is politically motivated rather than the CPP trying to protect the monarchy," he said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap, who is in charge of Assembly salaries, said the four royals criticized by Heng Samrin continue to receive their $1,250 monthly salaries.
Heng Samrin, who is also CPP honorary president, said Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Princess Norodom Vacheara, Prince Norodom Sirivudh and Princess Norodom Rattana Devi have all been absent from parliament for months on end.
"They are lawmakers but they are not responsible about their jobs. They always ask to be absent. They should stay outside politics if they don't fulfill their duties," he said.
The CPP will not introduce a bill to bar royals from politics. However, the ruling party would encourage other parties or royalists themselves to do so, said Heng Samrin, adding that the CPP would then support such legislation.
"We want to place royal families at the highest level [in society]," he maintained, "and want them to be neutral so people respect them more."
Prince Ranariddh has not attended parliament since he resigned as Assembly president in March, Heng Samrin said.
Prince Sirivudh has rarely been seen there since he was removed from his position as co-minister of interior the same month. Princess Vacheara also appears to have rarely visited parliament since March, while Princess Rattana Devi, Prince Ranariddh's daughter, has seldom attended since July 2004.
Prince Ranariddh was outside Cambodia on Wednesday. Attempts to contact Prince Sirivudh, Princess Vacheara and Princess Rattana Devi were unsuccessful.
Prince Ranariddh's spokesman Chea Chanboribo declined to comment on the allegations against the Funcinpec lawmakers, but accused Heng Samrin of double standards.
"Samdech Heng Samrin never commented when opposition lawmakers boycotted the session," he said. He also noted that the Constitution allows royals to participate in politics.
"[Heng Samrin] must read the Constitution and comply with it," he said.
Funcinpec lawmaker Princess Sisowath Santa, who regularly attends parliament along with fellow Funcinpec parliamentarians including Monh Saphan and Khieu San, said there is no reason to bar royals from politics.
"We participate in politics with great responsibility," she said.
The absences of some royal lawmakers may come down to the fact that they have other work to do, Princess Santa said, adding that she attends parliament because she enjoys her work.
"I must be responsible because I am a lawmaker," she added.
Prince Sisowath Thomico, head of the fledgling Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party, said Heng Samrin's comments could indicate that the CPP is afraid of the royal family.
"This is politically motivated rather than the CPP trying to protect the monarchy," he said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap, who is in charge of Assembly salaries, said the four royals criticized by Heng Samrin continue to receive their $1,250 monthly salaries.
9 comments:
Yes, it would be too much to expect some people to do some work, let alone the thinking.
SiS
How many must we comment on this Norodumb lineage, they are just rottened to the root. They are too many "Samdech" in the country. None of them has any clue what to do for the country -- but corruption & bribery are fired in their blood.
These officials have no moral principle as well as faith.
18th level of HELL are for Norodoms.
I call these animals king and queen should reign in the jugnle with no clothes on. They are not fit with today civilised society. I am very sorry for all Cambodian people to be confused by these idiots. They are worst than animal in the USA. They should have feel shamed to everyone around them.
These Royal members of parliament should learn from the active CPP members of parliament. Just show their faces, and when it comes to vote just gaze at their leader. If he raises his hand, just follow him. If it is a secret ballot, just observe the leader's signal. If he nods his head that means voting "Yes". That will be a good deed for the day for the people they represent. It is better than being on the requested leave of absence. How can they vote "Yes" to approve a legislation to restrict the freedom of expression for members of parliament if they are absent from the voting session? Lazy folks wasting public money and the CPP time!
I very much doubt that the CPP is afraid of the Royal family. Please prince Thomico, the royal family is finish, gone as in dead when siAhnouk is gone. You royal highnAss have no credibility left among the the people.
Of all the bad things that the CPP does and I don't condone it one bit, it is worst worst when you just collect paycheck and do nothing, but contribute more to the destruction and the corruption of our Khmer society.
MP Rattan Devi probably uses the $1250/month to buy more shoes and that the other works that she's doing, which is shopping instead of serving the people that she's suppose to.
HENG SAMRIME YOU SHOULD LEARN TO READ SO YOU CAN READ LAWS, YOU ARE A WASH SINCE YOU SO DUNB AND STUPID TO BE ANY KIND OF LEADER EXEPT BY APPOINTED BY VIETNAMEMOMIS AND THE CROOK!
AH HUN SEN IS MP TOO ISN'T IT?
AND HE MAY RECEIVED THE MONEY TOO? DO I RIGHT A CHEAM YOUN?
BARN AH HUN SEN FROM POLITIC AND EVERYTHING GOING TO BE FINE!
GO TO HELL YOU FUCKING DOG!
BY THE WAY I KNOW YOU CAN NOT READ AND YOUR CHILDREN ALSO DUMB AND STUPID AS YOU. ONLY HOPE YOU DIE SOON WITH LIGHTNING STRIK ON YOUR DUMB HEAD, VIETNAMEMOMIS SLAVE!
Hey folks, what do you expect from Heng Samrin, a former Cyclo driver?
Princess Rattana Devi,
You should look like that for Ah Veitcong and not for your loved one or us! smile woman!
These so Royal ass's are so rottened to our Cambodian society; they don't belong to our society anymore. They are not success in their foreing school abroad; they are loosers in school abroad like USA, UK, Canada, France, etc, so they went back to Cambodia to suck khmer innocent people blood. They are germs to society. They are there only to draw little monthly salery, not to work for the khmer people. They are just like their ancesties (Norodom Sihanouk mainly !!!). From a son of working class citizen of Cambodia
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