Phnom Penh (Cambodia) – 08 August 2008 – Keat Sokun, vice-president of HRP steering committee, and Sam Rainsy, SRP President, during a press conference to protest the election results (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)10 Oct 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer
The two leaders of the Cambodian opposition, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, who refused to merge their parties into a single one in view of the 27 July general election, showed up together the day after the election, and they had since then increased the number of declarations announcing the union of their forces in a coalition, which still has not seen the day light yet. Following the inauguration session of the National Assembly on 24 September, Prime minister Hun Sen, whose party won the election for a fourth mandate, publicly ridiculed the love professed by the two opponents. He also revealed cracks within the opposition front. Were they manipulations made by Cambodia’s strongman aiming to cut and discredit the opposition, or was there a real crack in the harmony between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha?
Squabble between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha?
During a conference given at the exit of the National Assembly (NA) on 24 September, Hun Sen revealed to reporters, with an affected naiveté, the absence of Kem Sokha and the 2 MPs of his party from the first NA session, whereas Sam Rainsy and the SRP MPs came in.
Up to the last minute, doubt remained about the SRP MPs’ participation since Sam Rainsy, unlike his colleague Kem Sokha, claimed on several occasions that the SRP MPs would boycott the NA inauguration session to protest the election results. Hun Sen indicated that the SRP’s change of mind irritated Kem Sokha. As if he wanted to add more fuel into the fire, Hun Sen reported that Kem Sokha personally consulted him prior to forming his party (the Human Rights Party, HRP). Hun Sen concluded by saying that dissensions would have taken place between the two camps.
To these feigned attacks, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha did no care to reply to Hun Sen together.
Hun Sen’s division tactics?
Kem Sokha did not bat his eyes to Hun Sen’s claims, as he is used to Hun Sen’s political maneuvers. “The divide to conquer strategy does not succeed all the time! Look, he convinced several SRP members to defect to the CPP but this did not weaken the SRP at all. In fact, the SRP consolidated its position [by winning two additional NA seats],” Kem Sokha commented before adding that the only party Hun Sen was able to disintegrate is Funcinpec.
Mu Sochua, SRP deputy Secretary-general, is not surprised by Hun Sen’s attempt to crush an alliance that he does not want to see the daylight. “The tactic used by the ruling party does not worry nor scare us,” said a calm Mu Sochua, while indicating that on the morning of 24 September, she personally told Kem Sokha that the SRP will finally participate in the NA inauguration session. “And on the following day, we did not join the vote for the NA presidents and vice-presidents, nor did we give our confidence to the new government,” the Kampot MP recalled.
Chea Vannath, a political analyst, does not see any interest in discussing about whether Hun Sen was trying to divide the opposition or not. “If [Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha] are angry with each other, this rupture of their agreement should not be blamed on the CPP but on the weaknesses of their positions. As long as their position is clear and solid, nobody can destabilize it. God helps those who help themselves,” Chea Vannath, the former director of the Center for Social Development (CSD), said.
SRP and HRP, the only two opposition parties left
Following the 27 July election, representatives from 4 parties other than the CPP (SRP, HRP, NRP and Funcinpec) appeared hand in hand to call for the local and international opinion to reject the election results. Shortly after, Funcinpec, which again joined the coalition led by the winning CPP, pulled out from this spontaneous opposition movement. Then, the NRP followed suit and abandoned the opposition parties by recognizing the election results.
Only the SRP and HRP remained, and both parties count together 29 seats at the NA. The number of their MPs was not enough to bring forth a censure motion against the government. According to the Constitution, the minimum number of MPs required to raise such a censure motion would be 30.
From a simple cooperation to the foundation of an alliance
If the two opposition leaders claim that they still agree on the alliance in principle, the foundation for such an alliance has not yet been finalized. They are currently being discussed by a working group – “a technical committee” – made up of officials from both camps.
“At first, we cooperate to denounce the innumerable election irregularities. The second step will be to set up a framework for common work for our MPs for the upcoming 5 years. The HRP wishes to see the minority parties in the NA being able to bring in their expertise and advice in order to help point the government to take the path to democracy, in the interest of the people and the nation,” Kem Sokhea pleaded. Such a role should not just be that of the HRP and SRP, but also that of parties other than the ruling CPP party, Kem Sokha insisted.
Prudence or lack of mutual confidence?
On her end, Mu Sochua seems more reserved. “Before reaching our alliance, we must be prudent and discuss in details the legal aspects of this agreement between our two parties in order to prevent any future rupture.”
To Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, it is the lack of confidence between the two parties which is the problem. He is also cautious: “In Cambodia, politicians have a hard time forging an alliance, unlike businessmen, because distrust lingers. I’d wait to see how they will unite…”
On the other hand, Chea Vannath encourages the two parties not to abandon their alliance project. “It needs time and patience. The idea of unification is there, that’s a start! In spite of the pullout of the NRP and Funcinpec, they still maintain their goal, and we salute their perseverance.”
A common battle: The recognition of the opposition role
While waiting for the opposition coalition to take shape, the SRP and HRP did not budge on their demand for an amendment of the NA internal rule. Prime minister Hun Sen reported that the opposition demanded, among other conditions for its participation in the NA, that its role be officially recognized.
“According to pluralism, a position of NA vice-president and the chairmanship of some NA committees should be given to the party earning the second position (i.e., the SRP). We also want that the opposition be provided with a true status, like what happens in the UK, Australia, Canada, or even in Thailand,” Mu Sochua explained. Yem Ponhiarith, her HRP colleague, also repeated Mu Sochua’s position by saying that he expects the government to recognize the role of the opposition MPs so that they are allowed to speak freely on the NA floor.
Hun Sen called this proposal by the opposition “dumb”, he explained that the proposal to amend the internal rule which has not been reviewed yet, especially by an ad-hoc committee, could not be adopted.
In the fourth legislative mandate, the NA committees are all under the thumb of CPP chairmen, whereas in the past, the SRP obtained the chairmanship of 2 committees: Interior and National Defense and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. With more seats but less power, the SRP wants to assure that it can fully fulfill its position as the opposition. An alliance with the HRP would help the SRP, if it can see the daylight at all. These last few weeks, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha did not talk in a single voice. Nevertheless, the hastening of such alliance would not bring a solid structure, and the two camps must not deceive voters who are already tired of endless sudden changes of situation which they are accustomed to see among Cambodian politicians.
Squabble between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha?
During a conference given at the exit of the National Assembly (NA) on 24 September, Hun Sen revealed to reporters, with an affected naiveté, the absence of Kem Sokha and the 2 MPs of his party from the first NA session, whereas Sam Rainsy and the SRP MPs came in.
Up to the last minute, doubt remained about the SRP MPs’ participation since Sam Rainsy, unlike his colleague Kem Sokha, claimed on several occasions that the SRP MPs would boycott the NA inauguration session to protest the election results. Hun Sen indicated that the SRP’s change of mind irritated Kem Sokha. As if he wanted to add more fuel into the fire, Hun Sen reported that Kem Sokha personally consulted him prior to forming his party (the Human Rights Party, HRP). Hun Sen concluded by saying that dissensions would have taken place between the two camps.
To these feigned attacks, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha did no care to reply to Hun Sen together.
Hun Sen’s division tactics?
Kem Sokha did not bat his eyes to Hun Sen’s claims, as he is used to Hun Sen’s political maneuvers. “The divide to conquer strategy does not succeed all the time! Look, he convinced several SRP members to defect to the CPP but this did not weaken the SRP at all. In fact, the SRP consolidated its position [by winning two additional NA seats],” Kem Sokha commented before adding that the only party Hun Sen was able to disintegrate is Funcinpec.
Mu Sochua, SRP deputy Secretary-general, is not surprised by Hun Sen’s attempt to crush an alliance that he does not want to see the daylight. “The tactic used by the ruling party does not worry nor scare us,” said a calm Mu Sochua, while indicating that on the morning of 24 September, she personally told Kem Sokha that the SRP will finally participate in the NA inauguration session. “And on the following day, we did not join the vote for the NA presidents and vice-presidents, nor did we give our confidence to the new government,” the Kampot MP recalled.
Chea Vannath, a political analyst, does not see any interest in discussing about whether Hun Sen was trying to divide the opposition or not. “If [Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha] are angry with each other, this rupture of their agreement should not be blamed on the CPP but on the weaknesses of their positions. As long as their position is clear and solid, nobody can destabilize it. God helps those who help themselves,” Chea Vannath, the former director of the Center for Social Development (CSD), said.
SRP and HRP, the only two opposition parties left
Following the 27 July election, representatives from 4 parties other than the CPP (SRP, HRP, NRP and Funcinpec) appeared hand in hand to call for the local and international opinion to reject the election results. Shortly after, Funcinpec, which again joined the coalition led by the winning CPP, pulled out from this spontaneous opposition movement. Then, the NRP followed suit and abandoned the opposition parties by recognizing the election results.
Only the SRP and HRP remained, and both parties count together 29 seats at the NA. The number of their MPs was not enough to bring forth a censure motion against the government. According to the Constitution, the minimum number of MPs required to raise such a censure motion would be 30.
From a simple cooperation to the foundation of an alliance
If the two opposition leaders claim that they still agree on the alliance in principle, the foundation for such an alliance has not yet been finalized. They are currently being discussed by a working group – “a technical committee” – made up of officials from both camps.
“At first, we cooperate to denounce the innumerable election irregularities. The second step will be to set up a framework for common work for our MPs for the upcoming 5 years. The HRP wishes to see the minority parties in the NA being able to bring in their expertise and advice in order to help point the government to take the path to democracy, in the interest of the people and the nation,” Kem Sokhea pleaded. Such a role should not just be that of the HRP and SRP, but also that of parties other than the ruling CPP party, Kem Sokha insisted.
Prudence or lack of mutual confidence?
On her end, Mu Sochua seems more reserved. “Before reaching our alliance, we must be prudent and discuss in details the legal aspects of this agreement between our two parties in order to prevent any future rupture.”
To Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, it is the lack of confidence between the two parties which is the problem. He is also cautious: “In Cambodia, politicians have a hard time forging an alliance, unlike businessmen, because distrust lingers. I’d wait to see how they will unite…”
On the other hand, Chea Vannath encourages the two parties not to abandon their alliance project. “It needs time and patience. The idea of unification is there, that’s a start! In spite of the pullout of the NRP and Funcinpec, they still maintain their goal, and we salute their perseverance.”
A common battle: The recognition of the opposition role
While waiting for the opposition coalition to take shape, the SRP and HRP did not budge on their demand for an amendment of the NA internal rule. Prime minister Hun Sen reported that the opposition demanded, among other conditions for its participation in the NA, that its role be officially recognized.
“According to pluralism, a position of NA vice-president and the chairmanship of some NA committees should be given to the party earning the second position (i.e., the SRP). We also want that the opposition be provided with a true status, like what happens in the UK, Australia, Canada, or even in Thailand,” Mu Sochua explained. Yem Ponhiarith, her HRP colleague, also repeated Mu Sochua’s position by saying that he expects the government to recognize the role of the opposition MPs so that they are allowed to speak freely on the NA floor.
Hun Sen called this proposal by the opposition “dumb”, he explained that the proposal to amend the internal rule which has not been reviewed yet, especially by an ad-hoc committee, could not be adopted.
In the fourth legislative mandate, the NA committees are all under the thumb of CPP chairmen, whereas in the past, the SRP obtained the chairmanship of 2 committees: Interior and National Defense and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. With more seats but less power, the SRP wants to assure that it can fully fulfill its position as the opposition. An alliance with the HRP would help the SRP, if it can see the daylight at all. These last few weeks, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha did not talk in a single voice. Nevertheless, the hastening of such alliance would not bring a solid structure, and the two camps must not deceive voters who are already tired of endless sudden changes of situation which they are accustomed to see among Cambodian politicians.
11 comments:
Why didn't you do that before election? too late now, but anyway, good that you merge so the lesson learned can be good to contest for 2012-13 elections!
Bring in 10 more alliances,makes no difference FOOLS! cpp will cheat the ballot direct and indirectly! and cpp and hun sen will rule forever! remember this you fools srp, hun sen can and only can be removed by force...but since you are all idiots forget it! let him rule forever! srp has to ask himself how long he been doing this since 1990 and his seats going in south instead!
Nothing lasts forever. Not even the cpp or hanoi.
Saddam regime was drop like a bomb in a few years. Through out history, the people have seen many dictator comes and gone with shame.
Very soon, will be the next one. Its just matter of who it will be ?
These guys are like kids playing zig zag zo. Maybe they just want to keep their jobs are politicians instead of working as labourers.
That maybe true 8:38pm but some dictators have lived until they were 85. Imagine if Hun San rules until he's 85, i am not sure if there will be anything left for Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha to run the country with. With the way things are currently going for them, they may not live to see it, maybe they'll die before Hun San goes to hell. Hun San will have the last laugh again. I suggest they quit their jobs as politicians and use the money to open a few brotels instead. They will serve khmer more this way. Who knows, Hun San may come very often and then they can kill him sexually. Sam Rain, use your brain more. Stop fighting Hun San with your usual weapons (talks, talks and talks). Use youns pussies instead, you may have better luck this way and it's the only way to get rid of Hun San.
Nice Post. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
Dear All, Hun Sen has declared to resign from his parliamentary member. Therefore, he has resigned from politic already. He got no more mandate to lead another government at all. THe opposition should now celebrate their victory for having got ridge of Hun Sen from Politic. Without a member of parliament Hun Sen no more mandate and no more power. He is now unemployed. Areak Prey
Hey, why don't you guy SRP stop for a moment?
Can you just united for a while to get out of Border-troubles?
You can do anything you want after we all finish border-problem?
Yes, it is time to get all khmers sticked together to defend our land. Khmers United!
Get lost, stupid (8:11). Sticking together is unKhmer.
The 2008 Canadian federal election (officially called the 40th Canadian General Election) is being held today[update] to elect members to the Canadian House of Commons of the 40th Canadian Parliament. The previous parliament was dissolved by the Governor General on September 7, 2008.
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