RESPECT FOR ELECTION LAW AND DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES REQUIRES INCREASE IN NUMBER OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MEMBERS
Some pro-government National Assembly members argue that we should not increase the number of members of Parliament in accord with the spirit of our electoral law because “it would be too costly" to the country. For example, twelve additional MPs, paid a salary amounting to about $2,000 per month, would lead to an additional $300,000 burden per year to the national budget.
The Sam Rainsy Party would like to raise the following observations on this matter:
First of all, the 1997 law regarding the election of members of the National Assembly stipulates in Article 9 a proportional formula to periodically revise the number of MPs as a function of demographic change. The spirit of the law implies that the number of MPs should increase proportionally with increases in the population. In 1993, during the first democratic elections in post-communist Cambodia, there were 120 MPs for a population of 10.6 million. This amounts to approximately 88,000 constituents per MP. Over the last 14 years, the number of MPs has not changed, with the exception of three seats added due to the creation of three small province and municipalities (Oddor Meanchey, Pailin, and Kep). The Ministry of Planning forecasts a population increase to 14.6 million by 2008. Therefore, for next year’s general election, if the number of MPs is maintained at 123, each MP would represent approximately 118,000 constituents. Maintaining the current number of MPs would not only be against the spirit of the 1997 law, but it would also handicap the proper functioning of our fragile parliamentary democracy, as it would unreasonably increase the workload imposed on MPs who consciously want to accomplish their work as the people's representatives.
Secondly, if one were to persist with the same number of MPs as now, the $300,000 cost for twelve additional MPs would not represent much to the national budget when compared to the amount of State expenditures. One such expenditure is the $27 million cost for the construction of the new, very luxurious and very spacious National Assembly building which will be inaugurated by the end of this year. Moreover, all democrats and all advocates of good governance must bear in mind the losses incurred by the State due to corruption. According to now commonly accepted numbers, this corruption, denounced by everyone, costs the State no less that $1 million per day (equivalent to a $300 to $500 million loss per year according to a recent study sponsored by USAID). Now, in democratic countries, who is best equipped to curb corruption in accordance with the principle of the separation of powers, if not a strong and vigilant Parliament?
SRP Members of Parliament
The Sam Rainsy Party would like to raise the following observations on this matter:
First of all, the 1997 law regarding the election of members of the National Assembly stipulates in Article 9 a proportional formula to periodically revise the number of MPs as a function of demographic change. The spirit of the law implies that the number of MPs should increase proportionally with increases in the population. In 1993, during the first democratic elections in post-communist Cambodia, there were 120 MPs for a population of 10.6 million. This amounts to approximately 88,000 constituents per MP. Over the last 14 years, the number of MPs has not changed, with the exception of three seats added due to the creation of three small province and municipalities (Oddor Meanchey, Pailin, and Kep). The Ministry of Planning forecasts a population increase to 14.6 million by 2008. Therefore, for next year’s general election, if the number of MPs is maintained at 123, each MP would represent approximately 118,000 constituents. Maintaining the current number of MPs would not only be against the spirit of the 1997 law, but it would also handicap the proper functioning of our fragile parliamentary democracy, as it would unreasonably increase the workload imposed on MPs who consciously want to accomplish their work as the people's representatives.
Secondly, if one were to persist with the same number of MPs as now, the $300,000 cost for twelve additional MPs would not represent much to the national budget when compared to the amount of State expenditures. One such expenditure is the $27 million cost for the construction of the new, very luxurious and very spacious National Assembly building which will be inaugurated by the end of this year. Moreover, all democrats and all advocates of good governance must bear in mind the losses incurred by the State due to corruption. According to now commonly accepted numbers, this corruption, denounced by everyone, costs the State no less that $1 million per day (equivalent to a $300 to $500 million loss per year according to a recent study sponsored by USAID). Now, in democratic countries, who is best equipped to curb corruption in accordance with the principle of the separation of powers, if not a strong and vigilant Parliament?
SRP Members of Parliament
6 comments:
In 1993, during the first democratic elections in post-communist Cambodia, there were 120 MPs for a population of 10.6 million. This amounts to approximately 88,000 constituents per MP.
88,000people/MP is a mistake, we
spend too much money for law makers
and not paying enough to law
enforcers which lead to high
corruption. The proper ratio for
a poor country should be about
125,000/MP and we need to amend
the law to reflect what is best
for Cambodia.
By law interpretation and aplication in Cambodia, the party has full control of the MP.
Why should we wash money on MP?
let have only one president of the winning party choose PM! and if he choose himself as PM so we can pay hin $100,000, and we can save alot of money to send to Vietnamme!
Coconut Brain1
Sounds good to me!
We, Cambodians, are very ashamed to have an uneducated prime minister like ah Hun Sen
Reporters have rights to ask any question to high-rank officials, either prime minister, in the world.
If ah Hun Sen (Kbal youn khloun Sat') told RFA reporters are insolent, so ah Hun Sen is very ILL-BRED and uneducated barbarian person
I am not a pro-Government at all. But I agreed that the increase number of MP is not necessary and it will only create the burden of the present budget. The main problem in Cambodia is that, the ruling party has never learnt democracy system which can allow the opposition to exercise their full right. They treated the opposition as an outlaw group and can only oppose their ideas. In reality, opposition party is equal to ruling party. THe military and Police must give full respect to the opposition party leader at the same level as Prime Minister. In a democratic country, if a police chef has made a ridiculous act against any member of the opposition, these police chefs have to resign. THe opposition leader must have all their chance to participate to express his view to all kind National and international relations. In every state dinners which the Government offering to international leaders, Oppsition leader should have invited by the PM to deliver his speeches as well. Eg If Hun Sen offer State dinner to Hun Jin Tao of China, after PM speeches, Sam Rainsy should have joinded to make his speeches before the Visitor'speeches. The opposition party should have a fund from the Parliamment to serve their constitutencies. Areak Prey
Are you kidding us, 4:16? There
are no opposition here, only
wild animals.
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