PHNOM PENH, March 16, 2007 (AFP) - Thousands of Cambodians jammed the capital's streets Friday as campaigning began for next month's local polls, with raucous marches and motorscooters adorned with political party flags.
A clear anti-corruption message emerged from the crowds that is likely to become the central theme of the April 1 elections for local administrative bodies known as commune councils.
"We will eliminate corruption in order to bring justice to society and to make all Cambodians live together in prosperity," opposition leader Sam Rainsy said as he led a procession of dozens of trucks packed with supporters.
His self-named Sam Rainsy Party is one of 12 contesting the elections, which will set the stage for national polls next year that are widely expected to see the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) take sole control of government.
Despite the obvious strength of the CPP, which up to now has ruled Cambodia in coalition with the country's royalists, Sam Rainsy said he was confident the opposition would make significant gains.
He said he hoped the party would take control of hundreds of the country's 1,621 communes, which are the most basic level of administration but are plagued by graft.
Anti-corruption efforts are a key demand of impoverished Cambodia's foreign donors, who had repeatedly taken Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to task for failing to tackle the issue.
Corruption legislation has yet to be passed, despite government promises to do so by the end of last year.
Cambodia was ranked 151 out of 163 countries in Transparency International's 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index, released in November.
A clear anti-corruption message emerged from the crowds that is likely to become the central theme of the April 1 elections for local administrative bodies known as commune councils.
"We will eliminate corruption in order to bring justice to society and to make all Cambodians live together in prosperity," opposition leader Sam Rainsy said as he led a procession of dozens of trucks packed with supporters.
His self-named Sam Rainsy Party is one of 12 contesting the elections, which will set the stage for national polls next year that are widely expected to see the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) take sole control of government.
Despite the obvious strength of the CPP, which up to now has ruled Cambodia in coalition with the country's royalists, Sam Rainsy said he was confident the opposition would make significant gains.
He said he hoped the party would take control of hundreds of the country's 1,621 communes, which are the most basic level of administration but are plagued by graft.
Anti-corruption efforts are a key demand of impoverished Cambodia's foreign donors, who had repeatedly taken Prime Minister Hun Sen's government to task for failing to tackle the issue.
Corruption legislation has yet to be passed, despite government promises to do so by the end of last year.
Cambodia was ranked 151 out of 163 countries in Transparency International's 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index, released in November.
3 comments:
If lower official speak out demamding more monies for their monthly salaries. There are not much monies left to corrupted.
Bati
In 2008,Cambodia needs a new and sensible people advocate to run the country.
The Alternate needs a defenite plan to eradicate poverty,incompetent educational structure,empower women in working class,land distribution law,and justice for all.
Vote for full stomach in 2008.
5:47PM ARE YOU SLEEP TALKING?
rEAD THE NEW ABOUT THE TEACHERS WANT THEIR SALARY INCREASE.
MONEY NEVER CO TO COUNTY'S COOFEN IT TOOK AWAY WHO KNOW, BUT THE LOG WAS CUT OFF, THE HUMAN IS TRAFICKED AND PUT IN SEX-SLAVE, HUN SEN FAMILY OWN BIG BUSINESS, NEW VERY EXPENSIVE CARS, LAND, THE RICH GET RICHER AND THE POOR IS KILLED FOR PICKUP CRUPM ON THE GROUND!
CIVIL SERVANCE NOT ONLY GET SMALL PAY BUT GET PAY IN EVERY 3 TO 6 MONTH, WHO COMPLAIN WITH BE THREA BY HIS SUPPERVISOR OR SOME ONE ELSE, AND WE KNOW!
THAT CALLED CORUPTION !
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