Original report from Washington
27 August 2008
Former king Norodom Sihanouk launched a fresh reminder of the failures of the royal family in politics this week, writing in a communique that political involvement for royals had led to severe punishments and exile.
"The pain and humiliation of Khmer princes and princesses who get involved in politics is far reaching," Sihanouk wrote in French.
The participation of royal family members in politics remains a contentious issue in Cambodia. Critics say they should avoid politics altogether, even if there is no law to ban them.
Neither royalist party fared well in July's election.
The Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec parties each won two of 123 National Assembly seats.
The former monarch's communiqué was an apparent reference to his son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who is leading his self-named party from exile in Kuala Lumpur and faces a jail sentence and fine if he returns.
Prince Ranariddh was not available for comment.
Prince Sisowath Sereyrath, a member of Funcinpec, said this week that a ban on royal family members from politics would be unfair and would mark the abandonment of one group of Cambodians.
"I am Khmer," he said. "I want to help Khmers when I see the country going in an improper way".
In Thailand, another monarchy, princes are involved in politics, he said.
Prince Sereyrath noted that Sihanouk was known for his politics, bringing peace to the country that did not come under the Lon Nol, Khmer Rouge or State of Kampuchea regimes.
"It should not be forgotten that only the king can bring peace," he said. "And if we have peace, do not forget that."
"The pain and humiliation of Khmer princes and princesses who get involved in politics is far reaching," Sihanouk wrote in French.
The participation of royal family members in politics remains a contentious issue in Cambodia. Critics say they should avoid politics altogether, even if there is no law to ban them.
Neither royalist party fared well in July's election.
The Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec parties each won two of 123 National Assembly seats.
The former monarch's communiqué was an apparent reference to his son, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who is leading his self-named party from exile in Kuala Lumpur and faces a jail sentence and fine if he returns.
Prince Ranariddh was not available for comment.
Prince Sisowath Sereyrath, a member of Funcinpec, said this week that a ban on royal family members from politics would be unfair and would mark the abandonment of one group of Cambodians.
"I am Khmer," he said. "I want to help Khmers when I see the country going in an improper way".
In Thailand, another monarchy, princes are involved in politics, he said.
Prince Sereyrath noted that Sihanouk was known for his politics, bringing peace to the country that did not come under the Lon Nol, Khmer Rouge or State of Kampuchea regimes.
"It should not be forgotten that only the king can bring peace," he said. "And if we have peace, do not forget that."
4 comments:
i don't think anyone is against the royal family in politics; it's just the failure of the royal individual in politics that many times history has shown since the fall of the khmer civilization that what is really questionable as the royal individuals in politics has often failed over and over again. that said though, not all royal individual in politics are failure. i hope cambodia can weed out the one that has failed cambodia repeatedly to stay out of politics permanently. that is all. please note the distinction here. if royal individual wants to be in politics, they must realize to take it seriously and not to look down on the common people of cambodia who also worked along side the royal individual. in other words, make sure royal can set a good example and keep their dignity as not to jeapardize their royal dignity and privileges. that is all we're saying here. in fact, cambodia wishes to have a well-educated royal person who knows and understand everything to help lead the country, however, i'm sure we don't want an abusive or one that often think he or she is above the rule of laws; because that is bad for the country. god bless cambodia.
yes, u r rigth. The only Hun Sen who against the Royal Family.
My beloved Khmers!
Why are these royal folks repeatedly failing in Khmer PoliSick? Ask Sihanouk? Nay, perhaps himself still unconscientiously doesn't have a clue, 'cause of selfish, greedy, arrogant, childlike, and timorous mental attitude!
Who cares? They should live to do business or make movie and support those who do the right thing for the country. Look at Mr. Kith Meng and see who is the real royalty now?
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