Monday, October 29, 2007

Third Anniversary of the reign of King Norodom Sihamoni [-Pls share your views on King Sihamoni]

28 October 2007
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The third day of the waning moon on the 11th month of the year of the pig (29 October 2007), or 2551 in the Buddhist era, will be exactly the third year anniversary of the ascent to the throne by the King of Kampuchea Thipadey, who succeeded the reign of his royal father, at the age of 51-year-old.

During the crowning of the king at the royal palace on 29 October 2004, the king promised to open the palace and to spend time each week to serve the people.

King Norodom Sihamoni then said: “Compatriots, uncles and aunts, children and nephews/nieces, respected ladies and gentlemen, in my entire life and forever, I am a faithful and devoted servant of our compatriots … The royal palace has nothing to hide to the eyes of our compatriots, aunts and uncles, children and nephews/nieces, ladies and gentlemen. Each week, I will spend several days of my time to serve our compatriots, uncles and aunts, children and nephews/nieces in the cities and in rural areas, one after another.”

In the past few years, only a very small number of Cambodians have seen the face of their king.

Even though representatives of the king and palace officials continue to distribute gifts as social and humanitarian aid to poor people in the provinces and municipalities, ponds are being dug, dikes are being built, and roads are being built along pagodas and rural, villages, King Sihamoni still seems to be remaining far from his people, just like during the previous years when he first ascended to the throne.

Venerable Thorn Van Dong from Kampong Cham province said that because the reign of the king is too short, people do not know him well yet.

Ven. Thorn Van Dong said: “People from rural areas do not understand very well the work and the actions of King Sihamoni yet.”

Nevertheless, in general, the population gives him a good score for his role as the king of Cambodia.

Reach Saroeun, a Cambodian citizen from Kampong Speu province, considers the king to have the tenfold qualities (Toss-pit-reach-thoar).

Reach Saroeun said: “Since back then, and until now, in my name as a citizen, I think that there is nothing that makes our people suspicious about any issue in his reign, this is one. And, secondly, I think that [since his coronation] until now, Cambodia is moving toward full peace, with security and peace. Third, the king is becoming the cool shade for the Cambodia people, because he is accomplishing more social works, and this makes his subject have more hope that he is truly a king with the tenfold qualities.”

In his position as a reigning king but who does not rule, King Sihamoni received praises from all walk of life, they are saying that he is not involved in politics at all.

Hing Sok San, a former famous youth, gave his opinion on the work accomplishment by the king: “In the name of the youth, I think that he is clean, he is not touched by politics, and during the past 3-year, he completed a lot of work related to diplomacy, he visited overseas, in particular in Europe, and in Southeast Asia also the king also participated in diplomatic relations as our country leader, and in (maintaining) relationships with other state leaders. We see that he completed a lot of work in his name as the Cambodian king, and in the name of Cambodian people. He also participated in the developments of the country, and he pushed the government to respect human rights also. Since his coronation, King Sihamoni is good in helping out the country a lot, in his name as a Cambodian leader.”

However, some circles are unhappy to see the king unable to fulfill his duty as prescribed by the constitution, for example in the lessening of sentences or in the pardon.

An anonymous citizen of Phnom Penh expressed his horror to see the king living under the pressure of politicians: “The country leaders are shouting that they love the monarchy, they love the king, but they give hardship to the royal son, they give hardships to royal family members. As a son of Cambodia, I am saddened and horrified about the future of the nation, and in particular about the case of the king. The king has a kind heart, he is looking for means to resolve and arrange his superb crusade, and I am thanking him very much.”

A gentleman by the name of Sbay Veng from Prey Veng province praised the fact that the king does not get involved in politics: “Whatever the government wants to do, it’s up to the government, and I see that the way the king is accomplishing his role is fine, and is conforming to a tenfold qualities role, I see him to be very gentle and that makes him very attractive. I went to listen people’s opinions everywhere, everybody can accept him because he is independent, he loves his children and grandchildren, and he loves the nation.”

In October, about 2 weeks prior to the 3rd anniversary of his coronation, the king bestowed additional titles to the plain “Samdach” titles provided to the top three CPP leaders: Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, and Hun Sen, for example Hun Sen is now promoted to the title of Samdach Akkak Sena Moha Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen.

On his part, Hun Sen said: “I take this opportunity to deeply thank the king of Cambodia who bestowed the supreme honor to Samdach Chea Sim, Samdach Heng Samrin, and myself also, with these very high titles. I believe that this is not just an act of mere bestowing of title, but that it is related to my responsibility, as well as the responsibilities of Samdach Chea Sim and Samdach Heng Samrin as well.”

Even though Hun Sen claimed that the bestowing of his title is the king’s recognition of his ruling of the country following the path of the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, some circles claimed that the king’s gesture was tantamount to an arrangement made with the rulers of the country, and that he did so based on the advice of his father (King-Father Norodom Sihanouk).

During the anniversary of the third year of the reign of King Norodom Sihamoni, Ven. Nov Sarath from Kampong Speu province, expressed his happiness about the reign of the king by saying: “In my personal name, just like all the Cambodian people from all over Cambodia, we are happy about the king, and we trust him also. Therefore, the celebration of the third anniversary of his reign, I am thanking and I am participating in thanking the king who is a cool shade of the people.”

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

A usless son of a usless king who signed the supplemntal treaty to give awy more land. He will be remembered as New Chey Chetha the Traitor

Anonymous said...

The Nation is in need of time to heal, The King plays an immicable role in this process. And he is perfect for this current political condition.

Anonymous said...

King Sihamoni of Cambodia is a tragic figure in that he accepted the throne reluctantly, and assuming the responsibilities of morally healing the otherwise beaten, abused and destitute people of Cambodia.

Because his reign is such a short one, it is indeed difficult to determine the King's Journey. But it is maybe a blessing in disguise as his role is being relegated to that of the ceremonial by the constitution and wily politicians.

As time progress and if the king can demonstrate or become active in the charity works, the arts or health, he may gain love from the poeple, which is power in itself....

Anonymous said...

The Khmer monarchy is like a dead horse. How many times should we kick it and spit upon and for what purpose?

KI-media might as well focus on other relevent matters that warrant good discussion. CPP is the main character who deserves scrutiny and you know well that the king is just a prop.

So please don't force feed us this garbage because you can do better.

Anonymous said...

Sdach TING MONG...
Sdach TING MONG...
Sdach TING MONG...

Anonymous said...

Siam, installed ANG DUONG.
Yuon, Installed ANG MEY.
Barang, Installed Sihanouk.
Yuon's Servants Intsalled Sihamoni.
Khmer think, that the end of his TING MONG kingdom.

Anonymous said...

It's The King Sihanouk's show. He was a director in his many movies and why not this time directing his son to be The real King?. The true role of what future King should do, is not to depend on the old King. Why? because he ran out of his idea. He is too old & tire to create anything new. Depend on the CPP? never. They were from school of the jungle. We don't want any influence from a government of the school of the jungle, but perhaps the new political party which will surely shape the future Monarch into do the right thing. That political party is The Sam Rainsey Party and regardless of anybody says. The CPP is too weak, too depending on the Vietcong, too blind and too dumb to figure anything out better. As far as King, Please save Khmer's Image and heritage. why? King Sihanomy is harmless for God sake! He just fit where his father put him better than any of his brother & sister ever does, if any. Beside a lot of Cambodian cultures and languages are buried deep within the royal family. Don't destroy it, save it, fix it and renovate it. It's beautiful! Together we can live better and have a very beautiful Cambodia. Make no mistake about it either that we are to have or accept zero royal family involving in politic and we mean no!

Anonymous said...

I just want to know his accomplishments. Don't get pay to do your job as the king,. List tem so that poeples will see your action. What is your goals?

Anonymous said...

Ah Sdachm Tra-ngol ott Sel!
Ah Sdachm Ting-Mong!!!!
Ah Sdachm K-teuy!
....etc....

Anonymous said...

Gentleman

Kingdom of cambodia and its country is united as ONE.Please do not be misinterpreted or misled as being expressed that" King reigns but not rules".King reigns by national constitution.He has two roles to fullfil:

1-Apply himself to high moral and spirit according to ten precepts.

2-He,as the king to oversee the progresses of the nation, following the national constitution,articles 8 and 9 clearly states his main roles, for real safety and stability of his people.Thus his role to enhence political duties of ministers but not misled by them,with his wisdom.

Providing humanitarian needs should be left to the monks and buddhism to fullfil the role in society.To meet with citizens is to try to understand their needs,physical and spritual needs but not to handout to the beggars.It is not cambodian tradition.By letting the monks handling that, is allowing their physical and spiritual search is enriched as well as strenghtening relationship between villagers and temple,building trust for better cambodian society.Growth of buddhism is not building temple, buy building trust and harmony.It is time to reverse our practice.It is time for buddism to give, NOT to take, because other religions can do so.Religion is common ground to practice by people, for people enrichment of praised behaviours , and it is not an EXCHANGE of give for heaven.And that is driving reality to find the TRUTH.Buddha is champion of wisdom because of his principle CAUSES AND EFFECTS, a scientific phenomena.

Neang SA

Anonymous said...

1-Apply himself to high moral and spirit according to ten precepts.

Hhhhh, what are the ten precepts??

Anonymous said...

The tenfold qualifications of a king:

1- Charity
2- Morality
3- Sacrifice
4- Honesty
5- (Dock?) Softness
6- Austerity
7- Calmness
8- Peacefulness
9- Patience
10- Respect of the law

Hope it helps!

Anonymous said...

It is the duty of the King to do the following!

1. King must be loved by all his people including all political parties which mean he must be neutral and be able to unite his people and all the political parties in time of internal crisis or in time of external great danger!

2. King must protect his Kingdom!

3. King must protect his people!

If our Khmer King can perform the following duty, the peace, the stability, and the prosperity will flourish in Cambodia for many more generation to come and his name will live forever!

Anonymous said...

This king is empty.

Hun Sen is full of SHIT.

Anonymous said...

To 9:32AM!

Regarding #1(King must united his people and all political parties)

The very reason why our King can't unite his people and all the political parties because he is a King who belong to political party!
The CPP put this King in power and so the CPP has all the power to kill, to steal, and to lie to Khmer people!

Number#2(the King must protect his Kingdom) The King doesn't need Nuke to protect his Kingdom! What the King needs is a good powerful friends and allies to deter any foreign aggression and find way to rearm his Kingdom!

Number#3(the King must protect his people) Again the reason why this King can't protect him people because he belong to a political party!

Please let not fool ourselves and the fact is King Xihamoni is not even a King and it doesn't matter what fake Khmer constitution enshrine about the Khmer King! Because if the Khmer King can't even performs the following three proposals and he is finished as Khmer King! He is just another fool who is pretending to sit on the throne quietly enjoy all the good and luxury of life while dirt poor Khmer people and the nation continue to suffer!

Remember! Hun Sen said that he has no right to be King but he has the right to create King! Since HUN SEN is the creator of Khmer King and all the power and respect must be given to HUN SEN alone and no one else! And that is why he demanded that he must stay in power until the day he dies because he is the real Khmer King!

So I say overthrow the creator to solve the problem!