Original report from Phnom Penh
19 November 2008
An independent election monitor expressed concern Wednesday that the increase of political parties in the National Assembly could weaken the political voice of the opposition.
In July’s elections, the Sam Rainsy, Human Rights, Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec parties all won seats, and if they remain disjointed, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, with its 90 seats, will run the lawmaking body, according to the Committee for Free and Fair Elections.
“The increase of the political parties will be able to disqualify the opposition if they are not united, while the ruling party has major success,” Comfrel said in a statement, announcing a monthly analysis.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yiep said the many parties within the Assembly conformed with the constitution, which supports a liberal, plural democracy.
“The implementation of all state affairs cannot become a dictatorship or be of legal wrongdoing, and the five parties in the National Assembly demonstrate the will of the people, who were confident in five parties among 11,” he said.
SRP lawmaker Ke Sovannaroth, who is the party’s acting secretary-general, said Wednesday the weakening of the opposition in the National Assembly “is not our concern.”
“However, we are concerned about human rights violations and land grabbing, which we must help to solve,” she said.
In July’s elections, the Sam Rainsy, Human Rights, Norodom Ranariddh and Funcinpec parties all won seats, and if they remain disjointed, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, with its 90 seats, will run the lawmaking body, according to the Committee for Free and Fair Elections.
“The increase of the political parties will be able to disqualify the opposition if they are not united, while the ruling party has major success,” Comfrel said in a statement, announcing a monthly analysis.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yiep said the many parties within the Assembly conformed with the constitution, which supports a liberal, plural democracy.
“The implementation of all state affairs cannot become a dictatorship or be of legal wrongdoing, and the five parties in the National Assembly demonstrate the will of the people, who were confident in five parties among 11,” he said.
SRP lawmaker Ke Sovannaroth, who is the party’s acting secretary-general, said Wednesday the weakening of the opposition in the National Assembly “is not our concern.”
“However, we are concerned about human rights violations and land grabbing, which we must help to solve,” she said.
4 comments:
Ke sovannaroth never thinks of having strong opposition. it's not in her agenda. It's a mess in the opposition.
If opposition worried about their voice, they would have merged before the election. Why didn't they?
of course, how could you win if your political parties are smaller and disunited. act up and be smarter the next time around, my dear; whether you will have no chance again the overwhelmingly majority. and one more thing, learn to work together and get along with each other first as well; otherwise, your parties will always look weak and ineffective as a leader to lead the nation. if you can't even put your own house in order first, how could you lead a nation with a good example? please think twice and hard about it! god bless cambodia.
it's good to have an opposition voice in gov't, almost like a check and balance system, however, also, know when to stop and learn the proper political etiquette as well because it goes a long way in getting what you want and wish when one is likable. remember how our mother and father used to teach us kids on how to deal and get along with each others; please use that skills as it is also important have in the real world as well. thank you and god bless cambodia.
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