Dear Readers,
After my article titled "Cambodia: The Monarchy Or A Republic" was posted here in my blog, I received a few replies in my emails. Among them, the comments from Mr. Bora Touch, a lawyer from Sydney, Australia have been very academic and interesting. His comments are below - Khmerization.
----------------------------After my article titled "Cambodia: The Monarchy Or A Republic" was posted here in my blog, I received a few replies in my emails. Among them, the comments from Mr. Bora Touch, a lawyer from Sydney, Australia have been very academic and interesting. His comments are below - Khmerization.
Learned friends:
I am too a monarchist, a Khmer monarchist to be particular, as I came to appreciate the Khmer monarchy as a symbol, if not the symbol, of the Khmer culture, tradition, civilisation and institutionally maturity.
For us Khmer, republicanism is not a new (exciting) conception.It has been around before the times of our Lord Buddha. Buddha, our Lord guru, after experiencing life, philosophically and practically, rejected, because of a pragmatic knowledge of human failings, the republicanism way of ruling. The Lord had this to preach:
For us Khmer, republicanism is not a new (exciting) conception.It has been around before the times of our Lord Buddha. Buddha, our Lord guru, after experiencing life, philosophically and practically, rejected, because of a pragmatic knowledge of human failings, the republicanism way of ruling. The Lord had this to preach:
" For as Long as there are bullies and liars, monarchs are needed. For as long as the poor look for hope and the rich seek excess, for as long as the wicked fight for dominion and other nations manoeuvre for control, for as long as evil men oppose the impulses of the good, we need to believe in a king whose power comes from above."
Still in the relevant subject. We all know that India and Cambodia had the oldest/superior polity/political science treatises and teachings, Kaulya's Artharastra, to name one. Some dozen centuries later, ie in 4th century, Kamandakiya authored another significant treatise on political science called Nitisara (elements of polity). According to Khmer inscriptions, most if not all of Indian treatises, such Artharsastra and Nitisara, (Mahabatara, Mahayana, Buddhism included) etc. came to Cambodia before Angkor: ( KK Sarkar, Early Indo-Cambodian Contacts (1968). During the French colonial dominion, instead of teaching us the Khmer-Indian philosophies and polity, they taught us the western ones. Until today, we still are taught the same things at those universities because we/ the Khmer teachers are unable to teach our own thoughts. Lok Sar Sarun, through his Aryadharma ning Varpadharma Khmaer, (Khmer Civilisation and Culture (1972), arguing a long the line of Dr. Theos Bernard, Hindu Philosophy, (1947) gave us a starting point, but again we failed to pick his thoughts up and expand.
The French had also known that by the time they arrived in Cambodia in 1863, the later had a surviving constitution/Kram Srok (1693) which was older than theirs, older than the US's, and a rather sophisticated legal system and laws. The Khmer 1947 constitution, which most scholars wrongly called it the first constitution of Cambodia, was a copy of the draft constitution of the fourth French Republic. Again we ignored our own thoughts.
Bora Touch.
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And the following is another reply from a reader named Salen Sy.
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And the following is another reply from a reader named Salen Sy.
Dear Bora and all,
I personally have enough with the Monarchy, and the Royalist Character's is detestable but for the Khmer interests, and the Khmer glory to the future though, Royalist State in Cambodia is a must, as long as I can understand the Cambodian problem. Therefore, I am another person who support the Monarchy state in Cambodia. Bravo ! ! !
Regards
Salen Sy.
108 comments:
Mr. Bora, a great analytical piece. Very academically analyzed. And better than what Ph.D has spitted out.
What an idiot monarchist.
The decadence of Khmer monarchy is cuased by Norodom Sihanouk and his lazy power-corrupt members. Therefore, the collapse of Khmer monarchy begins with Sihanouk's death. This has nothing to do with either democrat or republican.
Sihanouk is bad omen for Khmer Monarchy.
--
KHmer Republican
Bravo!Brova!
Me I`m with International Justice.
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=GhwMpcCas2U
L` Ignorance est la source de la souffrance
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=sVLTFmWX4VE
I go with Real Buddha,not Communit buddha.
http://fr.youtube.com/user/maitreyaproject
AH HO and AH MAO they are not our Buddha,they have been born just 1900.
Our Buddha has been born since 3rd century.
"HE WHO HAS NO LONGINGS THROUGH PERFECT KNOWLEDGE IS FREE FROM DOUBTS,HAS PLUNGED INTO THE DEATHLESS,-HIM I CALL A BRAHMAN."
Great US Khmer Republic Lon Nol 1970-75, great French Communist Republic, Khmer Rouge-Pol Pot 1975-78 great Vietnam Communist Republic, Hun Sen 1978-1999 and now ...... again US Republic. As an ordinary Khmer, I am very confusing.
Cambodia is not ready for a republic at this stage. If Cambodia is declared a republic tomorrow, political instability will follow and the sort of political turmoil will occur any time. The monarchy is an archaic system of govt. In Cambodia as well as in other parts of the world, it will not last forever. But at this stage Cambodia is not ready for a republican regime yet. Maybe at a later stage, when the time is ripe and right.
I appreciate Mr. Bora Touch's informed article, but for the reasons I've already articulated, his monarchist stance is untenable.
It's interesting that he quoted Lord Buddha's pragmatist advice. In today's global economy the pragmatic approach would be to foster meritocracy and do away with outdated, impractical and unjust practices such as absolutism, entitlement, and nepotism inherent to the monarchy.
Now let turn my attention to overseas Khmers.
Although I appreciate their visits and contributions to their native homeland, I resent their superiority complex.
They seem to think they're smarter, more educated and better than us in every way just because they've lived overseas.
Not true.
I've met many Khmers who have spent 25 years in America who could barely speak English. Others, as reflected by some of the comments on this forum, speak only broken English rife with grammatical errors.
Many overseas Khmers enjoy showing off and being treated like royalty the locals while visiting Cambodia. Just the other day in a restaurant I overheard a Khmer American guy bragging about how he managed to sleep with 28 women (prostitutes) during his 23-day stay in Cambodia.
Although I've never been to the U.S., France, Canada, Australia or other Western country, the behaviors of overseas Khmers tell me that they're not the hot-shots that they present themselves to be. There seem to be some serious deprivations in their lives abroad that they feel the need to come to Cambodia to carry themselves in that manner.
So, don't be arrogant and think you can run the country better than us just because you're from overseas. The more you look down on our education, our intellectuals, and our abilities, the more you expose the fraud and incompetence in yourselves.
I thank you.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
There are many lessons for to be learned. Its' true that some of our kings were incompetent and bad leaders. But other king were goods, like in other Countries.
We already had experienced many Republican regimes, including the KR regime. Were those presidents good or better than our Kings? Were Lon Nol, Kheu Samphan, Ieng Sary Pol Pot good?
And righ now We are experiencing the monarchy with with our King Sihamoni. He a respectful and educated King. But Who are the
" Real King?" People understand well that the real Kings are CPP TOP High Ranking Officials,including the former most hated man, HOk Lundy.
Is our king wealthy? No It's those Top CPP official who are wealth, through general corruption at all levels. Those people and their families are rich and powerful, but not respected.....
I am for the Monarchy. I am for a king that is highly educated and truly has compassion for his people.
From his article, monarchist Bora Touch Esq is living the past.
I thought he could put up a much better argument for the monarchy; he is not one of those with PhD (Permanent Head Damage).
Kuoy Pichet
Touch bora arguments (as those of his kind) to defend his monarchy is hallucinating and as always beyond stupidity. I’m wondering whom these royalist bottom lickers want to fool with this kind of arguments and foolishness? I just feel sorry for Khmer people who have no possibility get rid of this force of evil. The scientists observed, the psychopaths lie too much and seem to be so real that they were finished to believe to their own lies.
Yes mr bora touch and co, it is because there are too much bullies and liars. It is because there too much leech and parasites in Khmer society. It is because the poor being oppressed and look for hope and the rich seek excess, for as long as the wicked fight for dominion and other nations maneuver for control, for as long as evil men oppose the impulses of the good that monarchy must be demolished from this society. Why ? Because the a monarchy like the one of sihanouk and clan is only a worse corrupted lodge for evils to prosper and harm Khmer nation and people. Those who drag around sihanouk and royal palace are or opportunists (parasite) who can not live by their own capacity like other but need to lick bottom of royalists to get some interest, comfort or recognition or respect from other to better oppress and destroy people and society around them. This kind of people are beyond coward but the kind who can fire other people home to cook an egg of it.
The other kind from the first one who hook around royal palace to suck blood of Khmer are assassins and criminals (enemies) – It is the reasons that foreigners specially the yuons who were the first ones to use royal palace as its sacred sanctuary to attack and lead its actions and policy to better kill and destroy Cambodia and Khmer people. Since the reign of chey chetha 2, those who held high position in royal palace (or policy) are yuons or its off spring from generation to other. These yuons reign on the head of khmer monarchism who khmer people believe are gods are the yuons kantop. It is the reason of endless tragedy of Khmer people and genocide in Cambodia. This is the ugly true that these monarchist leech and royal palace assassins always try to hid from Khmer people. These criminals try from all the way to maintain the myth of sihanouk and monarchism to better oppress, kill and destroy Khmer. As long as Khmer people still believe in lie and monarchist or sihanouk myth of these criminals, they will continue to live miserable and being killed until there rest no more Khmer and Cambodia will filled with the chin yuons.
I’m the first one who passionately love and defend Khmer monarchism of Khmer empire and culture this is why I wont soil their honors and name of my great ancestors with the yuon wastes monarchs like the one of chey chetha 2 or sihnaouk. Historically sihanouk clan and ancestors has no nor characterizing nor legitimacy to be Khmer monarch. They have nothing to do with our former monarchism. Sihanouk and co always destroyed the heritages left by our ancestors as if they are enemies to them. At each conflict or colonization, the criminals always use members of sihanouk clan to kill, oppress and control over Khmer people through monarchism. Yuons/foreigners don’t have much to do, they only need to put hand over monarchism or sihanouk to have control over the rest of nation. These people show no guilt or regret or any human conscience (don’t even mention about national conscience) but put themselves equal to dogs, they serve those who promise them power or throne. Sihanouk and clan are top and maintain to power by foreigners to be used against Khmer and sihanouk always served his masters so royally and faithfully.
It is because Khmer people and nation are being threatened by foreigner and being oppressed by those who reign over their life that Khmer people must struggle to liberated themselves from this force of evil and to demolish the sanctuary of parasite of evils which is the monarchism or royal palace. Only democracy that guarantee Khmer people respects, rights and dignity as other people in civilized society.
Mr.Bora Touch declared he is a Monarchist.He is not kidding.
From Cambodian view, he has been and is a Sihanoukist.Sihanouk is a grandson of an immoral weak-link royalty. Also Sihanouk has been and is a Communist who exterminated people who had opposed national enemies.Cambodia is under enemy state control.
From Australian view,he had been an immigre by choice and is presently Australian citizen. Australia is a state that is ruled by English crown.Australia is a monarchist.
By his statement,in either view,Mr.Bora Touch is a monarchist,indeed.
7:31 PM, I agreed on the remark about oversea Khmers. They always thought they are smarter than us. That's not true.
Because of King Chey Chetha II and Sihanouk, and prince Ranaridh, trust in monarchy has gradually been reduced. If King Sihanomi could prove himself to be neutral and Khmer lover, monarchy could last a bit longer. If Ranaridh becomes king, I am sure Cambodia will become republic.
The fate is Cambodia doest lie with you idiots oversea "learned people". It is in the hand of us in Cambodia. Why dont you keep your Apple-Picking skills, barking and cursing skills overseas? We are fine without you all.
Dear 731PM and 816PM,
In abroad, there are more than one type of Khmer:
1-persecuted
2-opportunists
3-nationless
In Cambodia,there are more than one type of Khmer too:
1-persecuted
2-opportunists
3-hopeless
Which Khmer you wished to be?
Ah tat somnag 8:30, dont blame khmer overseas because your sister, mother and wife are fuke ass by viet dogs
I would like to ask those who want Cambodia be a Republic: It's because yau want the CPP Officials or Hun Sen be president of that Republic ?. Or Yourself and your family member?
You must Know that some Countries whic have become Republic, are regretting the Monarchy.
Re:
" For as Long as there are bullies and liars, monarchs are needed. For as long as the poor look for hope and the rich seek excess, for as long as the wicked fight for dominion and other nations manoeuvre for control, for as long as evil men oppose the impulses of the good, we need to believe in a king whose power comes from above."
Please forgive me for intruding Mr. Bora Touch,
It is my understanding that you supported Dr. Lao's position and view on the manarchy and specifically Khmer monarchy. If I may impose on you to bear with me for just this one question please Mr. Touch, I would greatly appreciate it.
Wouldn't you think that your quotes above already antiquated, obsolete and/or even impractical this day and age?
Imaginons-nous donc que si jamais Prince Ranarith etait a la place de Prince Sihamonie?
Je vous remerci mille fois a l'avance, Mr. Touch.
Very truly yours,
AwK (អក)
Correction -
"quotes above already antiquated.."
should read -
"quotes above are already antiquated.."
Thank you.
Ah 8:45pm, was ur wife/sister/mother got faaked so that you could go oversea? how much per session ur gals charged?
មើលងាយត្រឹមតែបុគ្គលបានហើយ។ដល់ពេលមើលងាយដល់ឪពុកម្តាយគេថាអត់ពូជ។
TO Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
I pity you my friend. Has you stopped bragging or padding yourself on the back?
You are attacking us overseas, particular Khmers who live in the Western Hemispher. Mr. Ph.D, this is NOT an English class, and one does not required to write/dictate to write correctly as you wish. However, if any souls who wish to correct our "broken English". Please do whatever make you happy.
But, Mr. Khmer Patriot, Ph.D., all I wish from you to write your own comment regarding any issues and STOP padding yourself on the back.
It's childish. This exactly proved the education in Cambodia is lacking.
Re:
"Thanks for your cooperation.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D."
Ladies and gentlemen, KI-Media readers,
By now, we all know who this self-made intellectual/scholar, self-proclaimed "Patriot", and self-educated "Tuk Tuk driver P.h.D" with multiple personalities and identities is:
The CPP Viet indoctrinated agent.
This CPP Viet indoctrinated agent had been here on KI-Media for a long time now operating anonymously, under many identities and most recently as
"Khmer Patriot Ph.D from Hanoi", loitering, trashing, attacking, alienating and dividing Khmers locally and overseas in the interest of the Viet controlled regime in P. Penh and the Communist Vietnam.
Affected by a few harsh comments, the word "from Hanoi" was dropped off from his signature.
Patriot Ph.D from Hanoi wants cooporation from all of us the readers to join and serve the CPP and the Viet interest or for the lack of a better word - becoming the Viet slave just like him.
Let's cooperate with him by joining me in this little open note to tell him that Khmer in the country and Khmer overseas can never ever be divided.
The CPP can never ever starve all of us so we will join them as they did to the FUNCIPEC and other opposition parties!
The foreign engineered Killings Field has not "once in for all" crushed Khmer's spirit as envisioned and intended.
This CPP Viet agent Ph.D from Hanoi will fall flat on his face failing miserably.
While we are denying this CPP Viet agent, please join me to send one simple message to the CPP Viet controlled Regime in P. Penh:
Let loose of the currently oppressed Khmer people, quit using political intimidation, stop the accidental and secret killings...and see what Cambodia will have become.
Thank you.
Passer-by
Ah tat somange, phd from hanoi is mad after and bit khmer overseas as raged dog but while its sister was fuuuuuuuuuuuke by viet dog, its family knee down to Khmer overseas to beg for helps, what to say, dog ass race and attitude
10:18 PM -
Bad English:
"This exactly proved the education in Cambodia is lacking."
Good English:
"This proves that education in the West is lacking."
I consider the English proficiency, or lack thereof, of overseas Khmers to be a legitimate target of criticism because much of their claim to superior knowledge and wisdom is predicated on the notion that they are somehow more educated than those of us who are educated in the East.
The poor English of many overseas posters on this forum exposes the preposterousness of such notion.
How could someone who had lived 25 or 30 years in America claim, that by virtue of their exposure to the outside world, to know more than we (that's "we" not "us") Khmer knong srok if they could not even master the language of his or her adopted country?
It doesn't make sense.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
Error:
"if they could not even master the language of his or her adopted country"
should read:
"if he could not even master the language of his adopted country"
. . . and for as long as the useless and idle monarchists continue to be useless and idle, kowtowing a dictator for their survival, Cambodia
and her suffering people will go no where better than they have been. Khmer monarchists are not helping the nation, but indulging themeselves in
personal pleasure. They are worthless!
What about now?
Monarchy with Sdach Ting-mong and ruled by Hun-Sen.
What kind of monarchy is that?
ហេអាចុយម្រ៉ាយ ដុកទ័រ ph.D from Hanoi ក្លែងក្លាយ ខ្ញុំកញ្ជះយួន អាឯងកុំស្មានថា ខ្មែរភ្លើណា៎
អាចុយម្រ៉ាយ!
7:31PM and 8:16PM
I am on your side concerning our overseas fellows (superiority complexity, singlemindedness). I know most of them as I travel to many countries in Europe and North America. When we see chineses, vietnameses or even burmeses climb social ranks in those foreign countries, only few cambodians work at city level and they are very proud of it. Most of them, they do what when free: playing games (horse racing, cards, kla klok, a porng...) nothing but games.
When they talk about politics, they talk big. They want Cambodia turns a day and tomorrow as Austria, France, US...Who are running Cambodia right now are not good except themselves.
Some can talk a lot about Cambodian current situations even they never visit Cambodia since 20 years.
11:15 PM,
My friend, we call it constitutional monarchy. King reigns but does not rule.
Neak Angkor
11:27 PM,
Just like that idiot fake Ph.D Viet slave, you scare the shit out of my pants, Man!!! Eat my shit and die 11:27 PM.
The reality is Sihanbouk will die one day. No other royalist character will be able to "fill" his shoes.
Now if we have to go back to our past "glory," we have to also admit that the glory and so-called saying that only monarchy system has been the pillar to sustain Cambodia, can we really kid ourselves about our current condition and status? Sihanouk himself has never once attempted to unite the people - he is taking the grudges with him to the grave.
The survival of Cambodia does not depend on the preservation of the monarchy. Cambodia needs a leader who is not just strong or has iron-fist alone, but someone who first of all, has loyalty and ethic to put the country first and formeost on top of his political agenda, the vision for the country and its population, and not get caught in a short term get rich frenzy.
Cambodia has a long way to go, if she will first survive the pressure from her neighbors. Sad, but true.
10:35 PM -
It is you who are dividing the Khmer people. According to the last election, the Khmer people voted overwhelmingly to support Samdech Hun Sen's mandate to lead our country into the distant future.
Unfortunately, the overseas Khmers were unable to derail his leadership through their attempts at sabotage and defamation.
Your hate speech is the type of dangerous rhetoric that recently inspired an attempted terrorist bombing at TV3 station to disrupt the January 7 celebration of the liberation of our beloved Fatherland from the murderous Pol Pot regime.
I salute the Cambodian security forces for averting a potentially deadly act of terrorism by opponents of the RGC.
Samdech Decho Hun Sen deserves our most profound gratitude for his heroic deeds that not only saved our people's lives but also led our nation on a path of peace, prosperity and national reconciliation.
Long live Samdech Decho Hun Sen!
Long live our beloved Fatherland Kampuchea!
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
11:43 PM,
you scare the shit out of my pants, Man!!! Eat my shit and die 11:43 PM
Yikes!! Me so speechless here. Me read good English in this open house.
But why you guys 're fighting about how terrific you are in English Technical writing whether you're from srok srae or srok amric? Me don no, but that's mentally weak to start attacking in such a rotten/senseless battle field, me think.
Stick meaningfully to the initial subject being discussed please. So that me can learn from your thought in your terrific English writing. Sank U.
Me not checked my errors before click. Sorry if you spot some more of "wrongs". Labol yor nih.
Qm
..
Whatever you think, you say, it is your view, but for me, I strongly comment we have to keep our country as it is now, for the stability. Khmers need this stability. I don't really want to see khmers go to republic, it is not fair to our ancestors, king jayavorman VII and Suryavorman II. It is a good formula for our country. Keep it this way.
Neak Angkor -
Thanks for your generous comments.
I think overseas Khmers who are genuinely interested in helping our homeland have a lot to contribute to our rebuilding and national reconciliation.
I just don't like it when they come with a sense of entitlement and an air of superiority evident in the some of the comments posted on this forum.
If they want to help, I invite them to come here and learn from us who have struggled to survive and seek a better future for our children. Come here and put yourself on the same level as everyone else. Then we'll talk.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
Mr. Bora, he lives in Australia, a really monarchist state? not semi republic-monarchist or monarchist is just a symbol in that country?
mr. Bora need to learn more about monarchist.
Hehehehe Qm,
my hair(s) (eveywhere) on end now, with that kind of English...Damn!
Re: "... Then we'll talk. - Khmer Patriot, Ph.D."
You do scare the shit out of my pants. Eat my shit and die, 11:53PM. (_o_)!
Khmer PhD
How come you write (almost) perfect English but have never been to the main English-speaking countries? Where were you educated? In Singapore, India, Malaysia? What is your PhD in? I hope you are not just another one of those Internet braggarts, although what you write is quite lucid, but obviously you are a CPP supporter. You will have a hard time on this SRP-forum.
8:30,
What did i use to tell you..? Apple picker is better than your stinky whore mother working on the street in SVY PAK! you got that stupid punkass!! remembered she has to screws with alot of dogs on the street in SVY PAK to make enough money, send your dumbass over here...Ah pleu Lop!!!!!!
12:08 AM,
That guy Tuk Tuk driver's ass is mine and mine only!
King Jayavarmann VII and King Suriyavaraman II turned in their graves and would have support anything, but not the way our shrinking kingdom has conducted lately.
The stability now is not because the monarchy is thriving and successful, but because CPP still allows it to exist. CPP knows well that the soul-less monarchy will go by way of natural attrition and become irrelevant in the very near future.
11:53 PM
I just would like to tell KI's readers that some of contributors in this forum are not representative of all cambodians and sometimes diametrically opposite to the reality in the country at the moment.
Your contribution is couragous in the SRP's forum well mentioned by 12:08AM.
What they can response to you? shit languages. Not because this forum ensures anonymous identity, they can say everything irresponsibly; they should focus on reality and national reconciliation and openess.
Readers know well this is SRP's forum. SRP's members should profit from different opinions to improve their strenght in Cambodia's political landscape. Why they failed, especially in Phnom Penh?
Neak Angkor
big suspicion and pretense when one signs himself as Khmer Patriot, and then PhD.
it seems like there is a craving for attention that has been lacking, especially in an environment such as political blog like this one.
"...My friend, we call it constitutional monarchy. King reigns but does not rule."
Neak Angkor
11:27 PM,
Neak Angkor Tuy or Tuy Angkor,
If the king doesn't rule, what does he/she do? Just eat and sleep and wast the national money?
And guess who this "Neak Angkor 12:57 AM" is?
I can't help, 1:00 AM, it is called "constitutional scare-crow" it gives a link to a past recognition and legitimacy to a relatively new puppet regime.
Cambodia is not 200 years old country, is about 4000 years old Country.
1:00 AM
King is symbol of Cambodia due to its history. It's a result of long history of Cambodia. You don't even know your own country's constitution. You may not live in Cambodia, I suppose.
King can eat and sleep only if he wants monarchy fade away quicker than it's supposed to.
Neak Angkor.
No one can keep his head in the sand for about 4000 years. Get practical, get real!
Yeap - ladies and gentlemen,
Another scholar, Neak Angkor, is in the house.
1:07 AM
I'm cambodian like you, I think. A cambodian can say you are wrong when it's wrong and you are right when you do sth right.
I have no party, no ideology.
I'm part of local young generation. I profit a bit of western education. I was born after Khmer Rouge and live with civil war more than 20 years. I know how to live in a contraint environment.
It will be shameful for me to talk shit languages and say sth stupidly.
Neak Angkor
Khmer Monarchy to survive or not is not up to the Khmer people but to the Vietnamese. They are the one who will ultimately decide the future Cambodia monarchy. Their decision will be based on their policy of expansionism. If having Cambodia Monarchy to benefit them, they will gladly keep the monarch; if having Cambodia monarchy will not benefiting them; they will quietly destroy it and HUN SEN will gladly carry on the duty.
There is not doubt that Cambodia can benefit from mature and stable monarchy.
Thirdly, I like to respond to 7:13 the self pro-claimed PHD for a change. I am glad that you write civilly for a change. I am rather happy to see you be this way when debating with your Khmer people overseas or not. Khmer overseas are much more open minded to debating with no revenge for our common interests. Having opposing views are actually good and balanced for Cambodia. It will caution the other party to think twice. Please don't take personal. If we were to be in our freewill, none of us would want to do anything. We love Cambodia just as much as you would do, but we need to be debatable with you. If one wrong it does not make you right. You must lead the way... not bashing... your own kind.
Neak Angkor (1:23 AM),
This one for you:
អាចំកួតឯងកុំធ្វើភ្លើពេក តាំងខ្លួន ជា scholar ដូចអាចុយម្រ៉ាយ Ph.D from Hanoi ទៅ យល់ទេអាងាប់?
Some of you including self-awarded Ph.D are absurd in thinking that Monarchy is what Khmer needs. I would like to put it in a simple language for you Ph.Ds to understand, “Khmer needs a leader that serve (help) its people”. Since the 50’s, Monarchy has involved in every system installed in Khmer including Pol Pot and millions of innocent Khmers lost their life in the process. Khmer is walking backward toward another catastrophe (the elites do not see this; they are too busy playing with underage girls and beating up on powerless Khmers). What has the Monarchy done to improve Khmers’ living condition? Member of the Royalists are not Preah and we have to stop treating them as such.
Some of you claimed that we had republic in the past and it did not work. Let me reminded you that Khmer never had a true republic, Khmer had dictators that claimed to be republic. Republic of China as an example, is it republic? No, it is a communist run by a DICTATOR.
Please do not allow the history to repeat itself (unless you are Youn and Siam); Khmers can only takes so much from bullies with close minded Ph.Ds.
Khmer living abroad and proud of it,
Hey dumb idiot @12:57 AM (Neak Angkor?),
Irresponsible in relation to what?
BTW, leave the word "angkor" out of your signature. You ain't got no shit to do with it.
And how do you like my English, dumb ass?
12:08 AM and Neak Angkor -
Thanks for your comments and questions. Your inputs are the type of constructive exchanges that this forum sorely needs.
First, let me address 12:08AM's question about my education. I had earned my Ph.D. in political science from a renowned university in Hanoi. Beyond that I cannot reveal too much about my background as I hold a low-level position within the government. I hope you'd understand my wish to remain anonymous.
As for KI-Media I was well aware of its pro-SRP and pro-Western slants when I decided to start participating. I knew that I was threading on hostile territory but simultaneously felt a moral duty as a scholar and educator to introduce some counterbalance to this medium.
I am unfazed by all the verbal abuses, attempts to discredit my credentials, and even death threats leveled against me on a daily basis.
You might be surprised that I have great admiration for Mr. Sam Rainsy for his exceptional intelligence and character. In fact, I have personally met him on several occasions. I do not agree with his politics but maintain a cordial relationship with him.
If certain objectionable posters on this forum are indeed supporters of the SRP, I think Mr. Sam Rainsy would be very disappointed with their vile, abusive behaviors on this site. They certainly do not represent the ideals and decency that he espouses.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
2:14 AM,
You are couragous enough to say shit language. You are dumb enough to say sth irresponsibly.
You don't like your cambodian fellows to oppose to you and your ideas (distorted ones?). You want your community closed. You will fail forever by using shit language.
Have a good sleep,
Neak Angkor.
any type of society can be a great society for as long as it is not control by the few. just like the different between twelve and a dozen, that there is no different.
Oooooohhhh! You scholars @2:21 AM and 2:23 AM (using such big words as Pariot/Ph.D, Angkor) do make my hair everywhere stands on end now!
Calling the rejection to your "propaganda to become Viet slave" irresponsible?
Now that you scare the shit out of my pants, read my lips again:
EAT MY SHIT AND DIE 2:21 AM and 2:23 AM!
Live free or die
Since when a university in Hanoi was renown? I mean no ffense, but can you back it up?
Break a leg, buddy, Dr. Khmer Patriot and Neak Angkor!
Eat shit and die is a threat(?),
according to the "renowned university in Hanoi"! Damn.
I always admire people with education.But when Ph.D wholeheartedly supported the regime that had a histories of cheating on election to stay in power,deforestation,corruption to the bones,land grabbing,intimidating, nepotism ,and so on then i lost hope .
In all,i think i am happy with my hi school diploma.
2:40 AM
You will have no hair at all when coming to Cambodia.
2:43 AM, 2:50 AM
You are extremely good at attacking others not based on reasons but your anger. I don't think you have as good education as a Hanoi university gives.
You even don't know what a blog is for.
Neak Angkor
Re: "... but maintain a cordial relationship with him (Sam Raingsy)...Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
2:21 AM"
I suppose you don't try to double cross "The" one-eye gangster Viet puppet Hun Sen now Mr. Ph.D from Hanoi"? Just in case, I suppose you know who HOK LUNDY is, right?
3:00 AM, I have no anger toward anyone here. Your pretentious manner just annoys the heck out of me, that is all. Come on, man, get real. What do you imply when you exerted yourself as Khmer Angkor or Hanoi PhD? I may be ignorant and do not know what a blog is for, but I can smell your phony act even through my monitor.
What about Indochinese Federation ???
Dear Everyone,
I am highly benefiting from this very vibrant forum. I don't mind what the comments here have been diversely auctioned. But I hugely learned and am going to learn from these simply and intellectually arguments.
Regarding to Bora Touch's standing on Monarchy (if I am not diverting your attention to debate other trivial stories beside of the main above topic), I am prestigiously willing to express some significant idea.
I love the quote Bora has inserted here " For as Long as there are bullies and liars, monarchs are needed. For as long as the poor look for hope and the rich seek excess, for as long as the wicked fight for dominion and other nations manoeuvre for control, for as long as evil men oppose the impulses of the good, we need to believe in a king whose power comes from above." But I am really skeptical with it.
Of course, Lord Buddha or the Enlightened One has never had flaw in articulating his idea, but as a frailty human being we might not able to implement this statement. Why?
"...we need to believe in a king whose power comes from above". This phrase antagonistically triggers my thought to disbelieve. If we have time to look back at European's history of the Dark Age, we will realize that the effort of ancient scholars such as Hobbs, Machiavelli, or later Weber etc intended to inform us that "the sacred power cannot work in dealing with society, they suggested social contract to be operated by common and responsible people like you and I".
So, this might make sense to articulate that Cambodian kings or monarchs should be legitimized through their blood or simi-god or god-king, they should pursue in the way of taking responsibility, wise and fair judgment etc
Achieving this, Khmer monarchs can continue to survive another breath.
My apology for in a hurry...
KY
3:11 AM
Thanks for your quick reply (without thinking?).
To be sincere with myself is enough for me. I'm sure I love Cambodia not less than you do. I don't know how you love your country, which acts you should contribute even from this blog for your country.
Don't make yourself as a dusk that Cambodia has to receive now. Poor Cambodia is now a duskbin. When US can not anymore educate some Anikchone, it throws them away to Cambodia. We don't know how to educate them now. A more burden for this poor Cambodia. That's my anger.
Neak Angkor
So, you are the angry Angkorian? What acts that I do are considered "dusk" (sic)?
Even a stupid comment like you said above comparing people to the criminal deportortees clearly indicates to me your shallowness and self-grandiose mentality that you have shown through out this thread.
3:33AM
So, you don't want to be a dusk to burden poor Cambodia.
Good.
Cambodia can be civilized only if its members are civilized.
Neak Angkor
Don't smear Angkor with your phony act! Stop being ridiculous! You are not that great.
អាចង្រៃប៉ុន្មាននាកនេះ បានអួតខ្លួនសុទ្ធតែជាបណ្ឌិត
តែសុំសួរថា ក្នុងងារជាបណ្ឌិតហេតុអី បានជា
មានលទ្ធភាពចំណាយពេលអស់ច្រើន ដ៏អត់ប្រយោជន៍ ក្នុងវិទីការនេះ ? ជាធម្មតា នៅឯបស្ចឹមប្រទេសឯនេះវិញ បើជនណា
មានឋានះជាបណ្ឌិតហើយ គឺថាពួកគេជាប់រវល់ខ្លាំងណាស់ សូម្បីតែរកពេលជុះអាចម៍
ក៏មិនបានផង ។ តែចំឡែក លោកបណ្ឌិតនៅទីនេះ បែរជាគ្មានការងារធើ ទៅវិញ?
Mp
3:59am !
Do you really believe that he's a Ph.D?.
ហេ Mp!
ខ្ញុំមឹនដែលតាំងខ្លួនឬក៏លើកបន្តុបខ្លួនឯងជាបណ្ឌិត
បណ្ឌាំងឯណាល្បង ក៏ប៉ុន្ដែវាទាស់ភ្នែកនឹងពពួក
អាបណ្ឌិតក្លែងក្លាយខ្ញុំកញ្ះយួនអស់នោះពេកក៏សរសេរជេរវាលេងបន្តិចទៅល្បង! ចុះល្បងឯណោះ
វិញសុខទុក្ខយ៉ាងណាដែរល្បង? ជាពិសេសនៅ ខាមឌីសនោះយ៉ាងម៉េចទៅហើយល្បង?
សូមល្បងបានសុខសប្បាយគ្រប់យ៉ាងក្នុងឆ្នាំ ២០០៩នេះល្បង៕
ល្បងស្គាល់ខ្ញុំជាអ្នកណាគេហើយ, ok?
3:00 AM,
You will be surprised if I were to tell you where I am?
And believe me, I do and will have plenty of hairs. It's you that I may feel sorry for!
Again, lose the word "Angkor" please?
Now, go take a nap on your hammock and don't lose your balls to the slingshot .... lol...
Khmer unpatriotic, PhD
You have to know that when it comes to blogging and writing emails these days, most people, including people born speaking English, just go for the short andquick intended message. Most of the time they type with one finger while eating lunch at the same time, without perusal. Then click, click. I do this all the time. But when I come to writing at work, I normally pay a lot of attention.
And you should know by now that most people who are in here don't have PhD like you. They mainly din't finish high school or primary school, but their hearts and souls are very much with Srok Khmer. That is the only reason they are still here years after years. The really academic ones don't join this forum, becuase they have a lot of other important things to do, and their English is no worse or better than yours. For example, Mr Bora Touch, as a lawyer, he writes perfect English but when it comes to writing emails to people he knows or blogging, he does it with one eye closed and one finger, and click. And have you seen the scholar, David Chandler, writing emails ? You wouldn't believe it; you would think that he's mentally retarded. The question is, do you understand the intended message ? This is the art of communication in the busy Internet Age. And This is where you fail to see.
It goes to show that your mind is still underdeveloped like some people you slave for. The 18th cc British PM, Benjamin Disraeli, once said: Little things affect little minds.
Another note. That Khmer American guy who screwed 28 harlots in 21 days, to me, and after paying them, is still not too bad, compared to your CPP gods who screwed them, trashed them with acid, or showered them off. Look at Kong Bunchhoeun's niece, Tat Marina. Despite her uncle's devout support for the CPP, she was still badly mutilated by one of your gods: Svay Sitha and bitch.
By the way, I heard a couple of bombs were planted near your god' daughter's mouthpiece. As usual, will this mean that Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun be re-arrested, or some SRP guys be flogged to wear it ?
Anyway, I wish you and your gang another happy year of land-grabbing and also a successful vote buying spree in the upcoming srok and provincial elections, in which only some 11,000 people are allowed to vote. Sounds like the1976 Khmer Rouge election ofthe Democratic Kampuchea !
Khlean+Khlao+Khlach=Khmer
May the Khmer leaders wake up and have pity on their own people.
First, let me address 12:08AM's question about my education. I had earned my Ph.D. in political science from a renowned university in Hanoi. Beyond that I cannot reveal too much about my background as I hold a low-level position within the government. I hope you'd
understand my wish to remain anonymous.
Khmer Patriot,PH.D
Neak Angkor & Khmer Patriot,PH.D are the group IT's Toul Krasaing where Hun Manet is the IT's Head.
They were trainig by the West,how to eat Hot-Dog and dring Coke...but
they were going home,they still enjoy to eat DOG-DOG,not Hot-Dog.
They drink Nueu=Mam but no Coke.
They will be Ar Yuon-Hanoi'slave for life,it doesn't matter how hard the debate is ?
Their job is protecting the Rotten Monarchy that is created by their Master,Yuon-Hanoi.
Hok Lundy had found a beautiful spot for them to join him in this new year 2009.
How will they bring the Blood money with them when their times are coming soon.
4:59 AM -
I enjoy reading your response. It's a pity you lost your mind after the second paragraph. For a moment there I mistook you for some sign of intelligence.
"Little things affect little minds."
True, very true...which is why you shouldn't be so obsessed with Tat Marina, Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun.
Why not look at the BIG PICTURE instead of dwelling on the little things?
Sure, these individuals may have been victims of an imperfect justice system that is evolving and maturing as I write. The releases Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun attest to this maturation process.
The BIG PICTURE, my friend, is that we would not be speaking of relatively minor cases like these under the regimes of Sihanouk, Lon Nol, and Pol Pot because there were far grander miscarriages of justice during their reigns, and they would not even entertain such discussions.
The truth is that our great leader Samdech Decho Hun Sen has helped built our country from the ashes left by Pol Pot and your Uncle Sam's B52s to the present respectable condition, where small-minded individuals enjoy the luxury of criticizing him as many have done on this forum.
So, I urge to look at the BIG picture and not dwell on the little things because like that English fella said, such behavior is indicative of a small mind.
I thank you.
- Khmer Patriot, Ph.D.
I don't know I find nothing educational or exciting about the email published here. Maybe it's because the author is a lawyer that is why Khmerization posted it.
I am neither a monarchist nor a republican, but simply a Khmer nationalist.
The republicans think they are the only one.
The monarchists are like a Kodak film which is taken over by the digital age, they would do any thing to win and think power belongs to them even before birth.
A Khmer nationalist don't see it this way, we support any able leaders that truly work and fight for Cambodia and its people, our view is that simple. Because we see Khmer is a dying race.
KN
3:00 AM,
Yes, I will be surprised and maybe even more surprised after knowing where you are (if you are in Cambodia), based on your faculty of reasoning.
I'm completely concious with my name.
Even I learn nothing from exchanges with you. I'm happy to exchange with reasons not with shit languages, anger and sometimes blindness.
Neak Angkor
Yeah talking BIG like self-labeling Ph.D BIG "Head" like you, right?
You're just a joke 5:25 AM, a joke!
When do you have time to do the "Tuk Tuk" while spending most of the times playing BIG head Ph.D fron Hanoi here on KI_Media huh?
Reciprocally, nothing new can be learned from our big ego PhD and hero Ankorian. They keep singing the praises for a totalitarian, one-party, slave mentality regime.
Same here too 5:35 AM,
We now shorten your name to just N/A.
And you know what N/A means right? ROFL!
Bravo (applauding) 5:44AM!
Very well said.
You BIG head 5:25 AM must have opted on purpose to not say anything about the Viet/Yuon plundering of everything Khmer during that time, eh?
Com'on BIG HEAD, you couldn't have suffered of the CRS symptoms already at you age, but again maybe because of the Viet/Yuon pussy in Hanoi that clouds your judgment?
Do better next time, okay BIG head?
Why the guy named "Neak Angkor" doesn't sleep?
He cares so much about "monarchy".
Oh! I see "Neak Angkor" is just a stone, like "Tor Thmor" at Angkor.
That's why.
Khmer Ph.D @7:31pm, your first paragraph has made you a "sensible man" worthy of engagement. as soon as you spitted out about your resentment or jealousy of the khmer overseas, you had turned yourself into an irrational childish and a cheap "leaned man".
the khmer overseas have never looked down on khmer inside of cambodia. it is the cpp-troublemakers like you who came here and started calling overseas khmers as "tomato-pickers", "donut makers", or those who write/speak "broken English". and you yourself should know better with your languages by displaying your "Ph.D", "Khmer Patriot" or "high-ranking govt. official" and your many arrogant and cheap shots at overseas khmer etc. shows that you have looked down on many people in this forum.
your actions in displaying your Ph.D and your arrogant languages is condescending and show that you have looked down on many people, including khmer living inside and outside of cambodia.
khmer inside of cambodia never looked own on khmer overseas and khmer overseas never looked on khmer inside of cambodia. it is the cpp-troublemakers like you only who came into this forum to stir up troubles and to divert the discussion by provoking personal attacks in the first place.
come one, act like a Ph.D holder, not like a cheap slave of foreigners.
Hun Manet is a son of an Uneducated-Leader,Hun Xen who is not even speaking properly Khmer Language.
The Whole family of Hun has been holded so many PIG-HD degrees from sala Chhor=Tean of Hanoi.
They're slave for life to their Master Yuon-Hanoi.
6:51 AM,
Nicely said.
Khmer living abroad and proud of it.
i love what the Mr. Bora said...it come to my mind that monarchy is the only one regime which survive Cambodia constantly exist on the world...
7:54 AM, 8:14 AM and Khmer compatriotes,
Please remember one other thing:
THEY (The Hun Sen's) ALL SPEAK VIETNAMESE AT HOME BETWEEN THEMSELVES!
And 8:27 AM,
I assume you are one of Sihanouk unaccounted-for great offsprings?
2:23,
By the way your mother is too ugly to be a whore in SVY PAK BROTHEL..Yep, what an ugly bitch she is!
Cheyo...Preah Moha Vireakksatr! Long Live His Majesty King Father Norodom Sihanouk!
Cambodia needs a Great King for the people!
That is why we have Kingdom of Cambodia today!
Those who disrespect our Great King are imbeciles!
--Achar Penh Wat Phnom
Achar Penh Wat Phnom?
Achar ter thess aing kor yap mess?
អាចារ្យតែថេះឯងក៏យ៉ាប់ម៉េះ???
Hang ieang sary,khiev samphan,nuon chea,ta duch and the rest and don't forget to hang SIHANOUK also,without SIHANOUK as their spokesman from 1970-1975 ,khmer rouge had no chance.
agreed 11:09 AM!
Ah Chor Penh Wat Phnom,
You are a pure royalist!
Concactulations!
Open Letter: My Concern of 7 January Celebration
Ladies and Gentlemen, Cambodian Compatriots:
My name's Khmer Young, a younger generation of Cambodia, I would like to express my heartbreaking and sadness to the continual mechanism to make Khmer divided under the controversial day of 7 January.
I am also one of the victim of the Khmer Rouge regime. Many relatives of mine were also starved, tortured and died during that period. Surely, it is not easy to forget this darkness in the history page of Cambodia. But to be a real young Khmer generation, I hold no revenge or hatred towards those mismanaging regime. I am surely realized that this extreme regime has been passed and will never come back again.
All Cambodians of both elders and youngers can see the same sight that Khmers should stop hatred among our own Khmer race, including the wilderness of the Khmer Rouge. This attitude perfectly reflects the heart of all Cambodians to forgive in order to gain the larger benefit and the brighter future. And as most Cambodian population are Buddhist, they has already learned to forgive in the way of clearing their path for the constructive past, intellectual present and brilliant successful future.
In the recent year, Cambodian people of both elders and youngers have been silent about the 7 January day. This quietness doesn't mean that they agree or appreciate this day. Their silence means that all Cambodian people have moved forwards to welcome new period of globalization and capitalism particularly to see the brighter future rather than being lived in the trap of a divisive strategy of foreigner.
However, the CPP as a so-called information minister has deliberately spoken through the media to rationale the 7 January as well as to use the strategy of "dividing and conquering" to make 7 January day become more attractive and to make fear among Cambodian people.
As I am one of the younger generation of Cambodian people, I am not going to debate the advantage or disadvantage of 7 January day because doing so I am just one among those who are falling in the trap of Vietnam. Vietnam has been so smart in making troubling in our society in order to benefit from it. More debate about this controversial day, more division surely happens in Khmer society. And who will benefit from this? The CPP or other parties, or Cambodian people?
To stand strongly in celebrating this day by some few CPP's members are really inspiring. Of course, there are many CPP's prominent members and common supporters don't see any significant necessary to celebrate this day for the benefit of Cambodia or particularly for the benefiting of CPP party to win the vote during election period. CPP with huge budget and human resource can easily win other party rather than using this controversial day. They surely see this day is out of date, and when the Khmer Rouge has been disappeared, this 7 January day is appearing clearly as the day of foreigner intervention and occupation in Cambodia.
Dear all Cambodian compatriots, our don ta (ancestors) have been instructing us to unite and trust each other especially our same race, so any activity that leads to controversial and division among our compatriots, that activity must be condemned and named it as "treason or traitor".
Again, this letter humbly appeals to all Khmers to see the right thing in order to lead the navy of Cambodia in the right track to appreciate our next civilized advancement.
The recognition or celebration of the 7 January day will surely exacerbate our nation, it will not bring any better for Cambodia under the current change of the world.
With King Regards,
Your Very Truly,
Khmer Young
the word king in the real concept
of buddhism is really means the leader or who pleases others by
the dharmas.
Khmer patriot, PhD
Thanks for further revealing who you are. So now it is clear that Khmer lives are valued less than animals. The lives of Chea Vichea, Tat marina, Pisith Pilika,
Khim Sambo, and scores more, are seen by you as " little things affect little minds".
No wonder not a single culprit has ever been caught. Impunity is healthy for the littel Khmer people. Stop crying for no matter who you vote for, my god Hun Xen will always be there until a lightning strikes like my Danlong Hoc Long Di.
It is a good way to build a good foundation of a democratic society, and it may need another 100 years, as you mentioned. Wow, Go and tell the donors that.
So nittpicking people's English errors is a more important issue. See who is little-minded ? Let the readers judge.
Now I know why Uncle Ho didn't spend too long in England as an iron chef, but his English was much better than that of the yuon overseas !
I always detest monarchy but at the same time do not think that Khmer will benefit from being a republic either.
The current rate of influence from outside Cambodia we will be loosing identity sooner than later.
Now it seems that monarchy is the only way to keep the identity of being khmer, having said that however Sihanoukist monarchy is not the answer either. Sihanouk monarchy concern too much the survivsl of the monarchy at the expenses of the common Khmer and it's identity, he only cares about manitaining monarchist system in Cambodia but he failed Khmer people measurably. every time Sihanouk involved we will see destruction.
For Khmer to survive we need a monarchy that can protect and promote it's people, care about the state of afair of Khmer, , SihanouK is not a monarchy for the Cambodia, we need monarchist system that exclude the norodom clown. They represent destructions!!
I am a pro monarchist who can command respect through good deed, who stands for the Cambodia, who represents all the people.
The recent history of Cambodian monorchist stands for none of the above.
For these reasons many Khmer warry of the Monarchist. They are operate on a self destruct mode.
Down the Sihanoukist!!
We have a monarchy right now. The King is HM Sadech Decho Hun Xhit.
They use all sorts of royal language to address the three former cow thieves.
We have a monarchy right now. The King is HM Sadech Decho Hun Xhit.
They use all sorts of royal language to address the three former cow thieves.
Warning to "Tuk Tuk" driver Ph.D,
Yuon has been Khmer enemy for centuries. Yuon never stops nor has Yuon quit killing Khmer. There is a saying - A good Yuon is a dead Yuon!
Yuon plays many roles among which a killer and a pretender to save and ultimately conquer.
You "Tuk Tuk" driver Ph.D and the rest of your clique CPP can deny all you want but the fact remains that Cambodia will be Yuon as commonly westernized with the word - Vietnamization.
Knowingly or unknowingly and under the nose of that dumb ass one-eye gangster HUN SEN, Yuon kills Khmer every day from P. Penh all the way to the country side - just like that babarian HUN SEN said - if "you dare talking about the border or YUON, you are talking about "coffin"!
Currently the buz word is - Whoever dares poking his nose around to find out, will be dead!
Tell that dumb ass one-eye gangster Hun Sen of yours to let loose of Khmer people if he so daring...and see what Cambodia will become!
We Khmer opt to live free, or die!
If you "Tuk Tuk" Ph.D driver are already YUON slave, it's your choice but don't drag all of us Khmer to be one.
..."we need to believe in a king whose power comes from above".
I'm surprised by the lack of critical attention given to this part of the quote. Firstly, I think the Buddha (having himself renounced his own princely status and worldly privileges in order to embrace the life of an acetic) would have in mind something, perhaps, a social order, that was just and providential rather than a literal figure or ruler we call king. That this being the case is evidenced by the final part of the statement: "...whose power comes from above".
Ghandi once said something to the effect that most religions are true, more or less, to the extent that humans are more or less imperfect in some way.
One way to bring about the demise of a people or a nation would be to deprive them of their sense of identity firmly rooted in history. In the 1970s a rapacious and alien brand of ideology was injected into a movement that was dedicated to eradicating this link with history so that history itself for the Khmer people would begin anew at the point of Year Zero. We can see, therefore, the potent power and symbolism providing the focus of unity and consensus among Cambodians across the political spectrum arising from the current dispute over Preah Vihea temple, a uniquely Khmer achievement and an icon of national pride on a par with Angkor Wat and other monuments despite the ravages of time and the lootings these priceless pillars of our culture and soul have been subjected to over the centuries.
It is not my desire to defend or reject any ideology here. The people of Cambodia should be in a position to freely determine their destiny or a governance that is in grain with their consciousness and asperations without intimidation and fear of losing their social stake in society everytime the national election takes place.
In any case, the current fate of the Khmer monarchy is as tenuous or precarious as the fate of the nation itself. 'The King reigns, but does not rule' may be a digestible slogan and a working principle in a parliamentarian democracy, but not in an autocratic single-party state which pays lip service to political pluralism while systematically emasculating all forms of active opposition.
Some observers appreciating the circunstances that have been brought to bear on the country view authoritarian leadership style, often synonymous with the 'Strongman', as necessary or more desirable an alternative to the perceived prospect of divisions and chaos that would be the inevitable outcome of a lack of enforced 'stability' engined by the present regime. This line of reasoning is fraught with many dangers. First, it glosses over (and legitimises) the role of a small segment of people in usurping and plundering the resources and wealth of the nation for their own personal ends. The more the wealth has been gained and accumulated in this manner, the greater the need to consolidate political power required to protect it which calls in turn for increased resources which is of course achieved at the expense of the majority and on the back of human misery.
Second, it also means that should someday such monolithic structure suddenly collapses - as previous regimes had gone before - there will be no institutional safety nets to soften the impact of the change on such a scale (the fall of Angkor and the events in the 1970s are a case in point)for the simple reason that no social institutions - the education system, the judiciary, the arts and so on - were adequately nourished to a point where they could provide as a vehicle by which a people would be able to survive changes without losing their shared national identity.
Third, autocratic rule breeds and perpetuates present and future style of leadership that will be similarly autocratic and repressive.
At this juncture, how we are to fare as a nation and preserve our ancient civilisation depends ultimately on our discerning intelligence and wisdom; on our refusal to be divided among ourselves over small details or diferences in opinion; our refusal to be fooled by those foreign elements whose sole aim is to weaken our people by driving a wedge of divisions into our hearts and minds.
Whereever you and your family reside; be it overseas, Kampuchea Krom, Cambodia or Surin, and whatever your accent or experiences, your proficiency in English or Khmer, your views and comments will always be valued for the truth and humanity they contain.
Kindest regards,
Khmer conscience.
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