A wounded Chea Vichea (L) is sitting next to Sam Rainsy (R) following the 30 March 1997 grenade attack in front of the National AssemblyMarch 5, 2008
Letter to the Editor of The Mekong Times
By Chum Sirath, Phnom Penh
Dear editor,
Since Prince Youtevong introduced Cambodia's first constitution in 1946 it took Cambodia nearly 50 years to have a credible opposition party. From then until 1995 all the population's attempts to have a meaningful democratic life were effectively on hold.
In the pre-independence era, a president of the National Assembly was assassinated in a grenade attack, while under the Sangkum era (1954-1970) opposition parties were either enrolled in the governing party or forced into hiding.
During the Khmer Republic (1970-75), a multiparty system was adopted, but the war polluted and disrupted the democratic process. The two successive communist regimes, from 1975 to 1991, eradicated all opposition.
The 1993 United Nations-sponsored elections resulted in a deal to form a government with two prime ministers sharing power, yet there was still no opposition.
The creation of the Khmer Nation Party in 1995 led to various attempts to break apart the dominant ruling structure.
However, we all still have engraved in our memories the images of its leader Sam Rainsy covered in blood with late trade union leader Chea Vichea at his side at a press conference moments after the March 30, 1997 assassination attempt.
This was a defining moment for the Cambodian Opposition. Since then, the party has been renamed the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and managed to put in place a nationwide structure, with many elected representatives.
Recently, Prime Minister Hun Sen ruled out a coalition between the ruling Cambodian People's Party and the SRP. Whatever the reasons behind this statement, it is a welcome clarification. For Cambodia to be a mature democracy, the people should have a clear choice between the two different visions of the country's future development.
Today, our country is facing critical issues. Youth unemployment has a devastating effect on Cambodian society, it is commonly accepted that less than 10 percent of every 10,000 graduates each year will be able to find a job, while the others are idle and easy prey for unscrupulous employers wishing to lead them into a life of crime.
Some youths seek degraded employment in neighboring countries, while others cannot return to their home villages out of shame from not being able to support themselves. Some commit suicide out of despair.
Also, can Cambodia's development even be sustainable with the current rocketing land prices? A rice farmer may sell his land and get a price he may never have dreamed of, but what will become of his future income and what can he leave for his offspring?
Other issues are equally critical for the people's everyday lives: prices rise more than 20 percent per year and there's an unjust lack of access to health care for the poor.
How will the various premiership candidates tackle these problems if elected? Because of unequal media coverage, the current unofficial election campaign has not really helped voters be impartially informed of the parties' different agendas. So unless the problem of equal media access is solved, the forthcoming elections cannot be classed as taking place from a level playing-field.
Chum Sirath
Phnom Penh
Since Prince Youtevong introduced Cambodia's first constitution in 1946 it took Cambodia nearly 50 years to have a credible opposition party. From then until 1995 all the population's attempts to have a meaningful democratic life were effectively on hold.
In the pre-independence era, a president of the National Assembly was assassinated in a grenade attack, while under the Sangkum era (1954-1970) opposition parties were either enrolled in the governing party or forced into hiding.
During the Khmer Republic (1970-75), a multiparty system was adopted, but the war polluted and disrupted the democratic process. The two successive communist regimes, from 1975 to 1991, eradicated all opposition.
The 1993 United Nations-sponsored elections resulted in a deal to form a government with two prime ministers sharing power, yet there was still no opposition.
The creation of the Khmer Nation Party in 1995 led to various attempts to break apart the dominant ruling structure.
However, we all still have engraved in our memories the images of its leader Sam Rainsy covered in blood with late trade union leader Chea Vichea at his side at a press conference moments after the March 30, 1997 assassination attempt.
This was a defining moment for the Cambodian Opposition. Since then, the party has been renamed the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and managed to put in place a nationwide structure, with many elected representatives.
Recently, Prime Minister Hun Sen ruled out a coalition between the ruling Cambodian People's Party and the SRP. Whatever the reasons behind this statement, it is a welcome clarification. For Cambodia to be a mature democracy, the people should have a clear choice between the two different visions of the country's future development.
Today, our country is facing critical issues. Youth unemployment has a devastating effect on Cambodian society, it is commonly accepted that less than 10 percent of every 10,000 graduates each year will be able to find a job, while the others are idle and easy prey for unscrupulous employers wishing to lead them into a life of crime.
Some youths seek degraded employment in neighboring countries, while others cannot return to their home villages out of shame from not being able to support themselves. Some commit suicide out of despair.
Also, can Cambodia's development even be sustainable with the current rocketing land prices? A rice farmer may sell his land and get a price he may never have dreamed of, but what will become of his future income and what can he leave for his offspring?
Other issues are equally critical for the people's everyday lives: prices rise more than 20 percent per year and there's an unjust lack of access to health care for the poor.
How will the various premiership candidates tackle these problems if elected? Because of unequal media coverage, the current unofficial election campaign has not really helped voters be impartially informed of the parties' different agendas. So unless the problem of equal media access is solved, the forthcoming elections cannot be classed as taking place from a level playing-field.
Chum Sirath
Phnom Penh
7 comments:
People should not use the past tragic incident to politicize in an effort to further their cause.
Damn, how I missed those good old days!
The Sangkum Reastr Niyum party led buy Sdach Ta Norodom Sihanouk never mentioned anything about Prince Yuthevong's accomplishement. Democratic Party which was created by Prince yuthevong was so popular at the time but sihanouk had always dislike them and he ordered to kill them one by one. For example, the president of national assembly Mr. Eiu Kues was assasinated by a granade attack after the death of Prince Yuthevong in 1947.
Past help present to build the right future!
But I do this like this picture of opportunity! Let the sick man rest would you instead of taking a souvenir oicture!
Need some bollone and fire work ?
Using a wounded man to politicize your cause is undemocratic and unacceptable.
Politicians, please focus on ETHICS and MORALITY not on any painted party so that we all not blind anymore.
Thank you
Amen!
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