Cambodia Vote 9

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Op-Ed by Justin C. Sok

"The only legitimate end of government is to serve and protect its citizens in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. However, when the government imposes restrictions and limits its citizens’ rights and freedom, it is oppression and exploitation."

The moral norms and institutions in any society have taught and admonished to everyone of its members that before anyone could successfully achieve a goal, he/she would be facing an inevitable series of insurmountable problems, which includes foreseeable and unforeseeable chain of events. These unfortunate forthcoming events will attempt to neutralize him/her during this long and difficult journey. To subdue all these challenges, he/she must persevere, be patient, and stay focused. He/she must not acquiesce or capitulate to those whose attempt to discourage and deceive him/her, so that he/she would veer off course.

In the present page of our Khmer history, we have witnessed Mr. Sam Rainsy as our presumptive Khmer national nominee, whom has emerged as an icon for our Khmer democratic society. Despite all the political turmoil created by the current government to intimidate and divert public attention, Mr. Sam Rainsy has continued to be the principal bulwark supporting the average Khmer citizen’s basic fundamental rights and freedom.

Growing up as a young boy without having received proper guidance from a father figure, Mr. Sam Rainsy had set his goals high for educational and professional success. He was resilient, industrious, and was able to turn his psychological and emotional anguish into a “Light of Hope.” Mr. Sam Rainsy is not only a man of moral integrity and benevolent in nature but he has political wisdom and his personal commitment is to roll up his sleeves and work with the people on the grassroots level for a democratic society. He is the hope of the Cambodian people to bring the light of democracy to shine in their miserable world. More importantly, Mr. Sam Rainsy is a man whose has the fundamental political vision and leadership to restore dignity for the Khmer nation. Even former Cambodian leader had surreptitiously given Mr. Sam Rainsy a nickname, “The man who deters corruption.”

The zealous pursuit to fight for social justice for the Cambodian people is the central theme of his political career. His quest is to create a democratic Khmer nation. For years, Mr. Sam Rainsy has railroaded into the service to fight a war that was unjust, oppressive, and corruption. Mr. Sam Rainsy and the respective SRP lawmakers/legislators, and political activists have made tremendous efforts to reach out to the people that are living in the cities and towns across the country, and hold political barnstorming events in the forlorn villages. The SRP educated the people about democratic principles and helped to enable them on how to exercise their constitutional rights. The SRP supporters were simultaneously engaged in an in-depth dialogue and recorded the people’s points of view. They have empathically listened to the people’s concerns about their daily struggles and as well as their visions of what they would like to achieve for the future of our country. The SRP elected representatives would hear this broad spectrum of input as they work to shape legislative and for major political reforms. The SRP and legislators/lawmakers have put forward significant political platform proposals that represent a critical opportunity for our Khmer people and Khmer nation.

Our country is situated in a unique geographic position on the globe, which for centuries has drawn our neighboring countries’ attention like bees to honey. In addition, the international community would take interest in our Khmer history. They visit our national monuments, Angkor Wat Temple and Preah Vihear Temple, and they would want to help preserve of our rich history. Economically, the international community would want to invest in our country. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that strengthening of our political and economic will and reform our judicial systems are critical issues in determining the kind of future we want for our country. Thus, Mr. Sam Rainsy would be the person that has a clear moral and political vision and has demonstrated strong leadership skills to bring these changes to our country.

The social ills and the oppression our Khmer people are facing today do not require the same kind of sacrifices we were forced to make in the recent past. It does require, however, our best efforts, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds. To believe that together, with Lord Buddha's help, we can and will resolve the problems, which now confront us. Nothing seems impossible when we work together. We can rise to any challenge, and we will. Let that be understood by those who practice violence and political oppression, and prey upon our innocent people that, “No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is more powerful than the will and moral courage of our Khmer people. It is a weapon our political adversaries do not have. It is a weapon that our Khmer people do have.”

Aspiration for political stability and economic growth, and peace and prosperity for the future is our nation’s driving force. With extraordinary energy and creativity, our youth, teachers, union garment workers, civil service workers, farmers, and our Khmer people from all walks of life have become the key players in fighting the social iniquitous, oppression, and corruption epidemic. Their vision and voices are inspiring change in government. To those people in the cities, towns, villages, and huts across the country, which have been struggling to break the cycles of misery, the Sam Rainsy Party pledges our best efforts to help them help themselves, not because we seek for your votes, but because it is your constitutional right to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. All of our Khmer people need to be reminded that the Government did not create the people; the people created the Government. Therefore, if the government has failed to deliver what is in the best interest of the people and nation, it is time that our countrymen and women to use this vote to change the leadership of our country.

There is an old saying, “Yesterday is history. Future is mystery. Today is a gift.” Until today, we are continuing to struggle with psychological traumas of our past. Until today, we are continuing to experience difficulty of accepting for our past. But what so precious about today is that, we are stocking our next generations with talent to prepare for what may come as challenging future. More importantly, as for today, we must acknowledge and accept for the fact that each and every one of us is a gift to our Khmer nation. Each and every one of us has a moral and ethical responsibility to do what is in the best interest for our people and Khmer nation.

On the evening of July 24, 25, & 26, 2008, I appeal with my earnest and moral conviction to all of our countrymen and women living in all twenty-four provinces to show your support for Mr. Sam Rainsy by lighting up candles in front of your home. The candlelight would symbolize of our “Light of Hope.” Together, we would also, invoke our Lord Buddha and/or whatever your religious beliefs may be, and pray to our ancestors, and to the spirits of the beloved of millions of our innocent Khmer people who had sacrificed their lives and unjustly died in their pursuit of today’s freedom. We would hope that from July 28, 2008, we, as the people of our Khmer nation would live free from oppression, free from the fear of persecution, and to start of our new era Cambodian history.

Then, on July 27, 2008, is our National Election Day. Despite how busy each and every one of you may be, it is the most important day for each and every one of you to show your allegiance toward our people and the Khmer nation. Your vote is your voice. Your voice is your life, liberty, and your future. Don’t hesitate, at any moment, to sacrifice on this day for the sake of tomorrow. You must go to your designated poll place and vote for Sam Rainsy Party #9.

Please join us and the Sam Rainsy Party in spreading the rainbow of hope to our Khmer people like the variety of colors of flowers, which dance and float atop the surface of the water of our great Tonle Sap Lake.

With all the loves and respect from me, to each and every one of you. Thank you. Chun-Chiet-Khmer

Justin C. Sok

P.S.: Please help translate the article into Khmer so that our Khmer people living in Cambodia would understand the messages.