Mu Sochua speaks to reporters outside of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)Thursday, 04 June 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
SRP lawmaker questioned for four hours by court prosecutor in Hun Sen's defamation suit.
OPPOSITION Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Mu Sochua answered questions Wednesday in Phnom Penh Municipal Court regarding a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The lawsuit stems from a complaint lodged by Mu Sochua over an April 4 speech given by the prime minister in which, she claims, he made derogatory comments about her. Mu Sochua's own complaint prompted a countersuit from Hun Sen, who denied that the comments in question referred to her.
Emerging from the court after four hours of questioning, the Kampot lawmaker told reporters that Deputy Prosecutor Sok Roeun had focused on the question of why she had organised a press conference announcing her intention to sue Hun Sen before actually filing her complaint.
She said she told the deputy prosecutor that she did so because she wanted to outline her case clearly to the media, adding that holding press conferences is not illegal.
"As I am a victim, I turned to Cambodian law to defend myself," she told reporters.
In the April speech in Kampot, Hun Sen referred to an unnamed lawmaker as a cheung klang, or "strong leg", a term viewed by some as particularly offensive to women. Mu Sochua has said repeatedly that the speech clearly referred to her, noting that Hun Sen described the same lawmaker as a "strong female MP from the opposition party in Kampot" who lost a button on her shirt while running around embracing people.
During last year's election campaign, Mu Sochua was involved in an altercation in which she said an army general tore a buttom from her blouse and exposed her bra.
"Although Samdech Hun Sen did not refer to me by name, people who were at the speech on April 4 told me by phone to listen to it because he had clearly referred to me," she said.
Ky Tech, the prime minister's lawyer, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Deputy Prosecutor Sok Roeun declined to comment Wednesday afternoon, saying that he was busy with teaching obligations.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan declined to comment beyond saying that he was not interested in Mu Sochua's comments and that "all people must be under the law".
The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights said in a statement Monday that the case was demonstrative of "an inclination to shut down the rights and freedoms" of the opposition party.
Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, expressed concern that no action seemed to have been taken with regard to Mu Sochua's original complaint, adding that the court must be willing to summon Hun Sen as well.
Mu Sochua urged Hun Sen to appear before the court if summoned, saying that SRP President Sam Rainsy had always appeared when called in for questioning.
"Prime Minister Hun Sen has always said he is brave, so he should agree to appear in court," she said. "I still hope that the court will give us justice."
Legal misconduct claims
The case has also resulted in a complaint filed by Ky Tech against Kong Sam Onn, Mu Sochua's lawyer, on charges of violating professional codes of ethics by speaking publicly about the Mu Sochua case.
Kong Sam Onn appeared before a Bar Association inspection team Monday, but the meeting was suspended after he requested that the bar replace one of the inspection panel members - lawyer Hem Voun - who works at the law firm of Ky Tech. The meeting with the inspection team has now been suspended twice and has not been rescheduled.
Bar Association President Chiv Songkak said after the second cancellation that he supported Kong Sam Onn's request, but that he could not say who would replace Hem Voun on the inspection team.
Hem Voun also said he understood the request and "did not oppose" it.
OPPOSITION Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Mu Sochua answered questions Wednesday in Phnom Penh Municipal Court regarding a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The lawsuit stems from a complaint lodged by Mu Sochua over an April 4 speech given by the prime minister in which, she claims, he made derogatory comments about her. Mu Sochua's own complaint prompted a countersuit from Hun Sen, who denied that the comments in question referred to her.
Emerging from the court after four hours of questioning, the Kampot lawmaker told reporters that Deputy Prosecutor Sok Roeun had focused on the question of why she had organised a press conference announcing her intention to sue Hun Sen before actually filing her complaint.
She said she told the deputy prosecutor that she did so because she wanted to outline her case clearly to the media, adding that holding press conferences is not illegal.
"As I am a victim, I turned to Cambodian law to defend myself," she told reporters.
In the April speech in Kampot, Hun Sen referred to an unnamed lawmaker as a cheung klang, or "strong leg", a term viewed by some as particularly offensive to women. Mu Sochua has said repeatedly that the speech clearly referred to her, noting that Hun Sen described the same lawmaker as a "strong female MP from the opposition party in Kampot" who lost a button on her shirt while running around embracing people.
During last year's election campaign, Mu Sochua was involved in an altercation in which she said an army general tore a buttom from her blouse and exposed her bra.
"Although Samdech Hun Sen did not refer to me by name, people who were at the speech on April 4 told me by phone to listen to it because he had clearly referred to me," she said.
Ky Tech, the prime minister's lawyer, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Deputy Prosecutor Sok Roeun declined to comment Wednesday afternoon, saying that he was busy with teaching obligations.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan declined to comment beyond saying that he was not interested in Mu Sochua's comments and that "all people must be under the law".
The Cambodian Centre for Human Rights said in a statement Monday that the case was demonstrative of "an inclination to shut down the rights and freedoms" of the opposition party.
Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, expressed concern that no action seemed to have been taken with regard to Mu Sochua's original complaint, adding that the court must be willing to summon Hun Sen as well.
"Prime minister hun sen has always said he is brave, so he should agree to appear in court.""The court must summon them together," Sok Sam Oeun said.
Mu Sochua urged Hun Sen to appear before the court if summoned, saying that SRP President Sam Rainsy had always appeared when called in for questioning.
"Prime Minister Hun Sen has always said he is brave, so he should agree to appear in court," she said. "I still hope that the court will give us justice."
Legal misconduct claims
The case has also resulted in a complaint filed by Ky Tech against Kong Sam Onn, Mu Sochua's lawyer, on charges of violating professional codes of ethics by speaking publicly about the Mu Sochua case.
Kong Sam Onn appeared before a Bar Association inspection team Monday, but the meeting was suspended after he requested that the bar replace one of the inspection panel members - lawyer Hem Voun - who works at the law firm of Ky Tech. The meeting with the inspection team has now been suspended twice and has not been rescheduled.
Bar Association President Chiv Songkak said after the second cancellation that he supported Kong Sam Onn's request, but that he could not say who would replace Hem Voun on the inspection team.
Hem Voun also said he understood the request and "did not oppose" it.
25 comments:
It's good to let the public hear how you behave and handle your challenge in the court.
Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan declined to comment beyond saying that he was not interested in Mu Sochua's comments and that "all people must be under the law".
________________________________
Phay Siphan, you are so right that nobody is above the law. That is why Hun Sen must be summoned to appear before the court. Can you tell the media about that?
HUN SEN MUST BE APPEAR TO TRIBUNAL IF HE IS A STRONG MAN .
MY FIRST LADY WOMAN MUA SOK HUA IS VERY COURAGEOUS TO PRESENT AT THE COURT ...
I THINK HUN SEN IS A TRU DOG and VERY AFRAID HIS LIFE ...
According to my insignificant acknowledge of Khmer PoliSick, I am undoubtedly believing this is a first important step of SRP's poliSickal fight against CPP, and actually beginning to spread through Cambodian everywhere(inside Srok Khmer and overseas). Even win or lose, SRP's organzied effort will led to few poliSickal or scoial gains, but intellectually also begin laying the foundation for the brightful democratic future.
Good Job madam Sochou,,,,, I am so proud of you. Not because you are a assembly member nor SRP's, but your bravery and openness.
We are keeping our eyes closely on you and Hun Sen. I think this is very good case, simple but essential!!!
Thanks
She is well respected lady. I love her professionalism. She is the jewel of Cambodia. She is at least has moral than HUN SEN.
KhmerPP,
she is a woman and she is not only going against CPP , but she is going against the CPP leader . i admire her braveness and i hope the judge will render a judgement in a fair way and i hope the judge will ask hun sen to come to court to answer the questions too because no one in a democratic country is above the law.
Ah Jkuot Jruok 12:48 AM
If this crazy lady the jewel of Cambodia, and then this lady must enjoy Puok Ah Scum Rains's supporters' family jewel.
Pi Anh: PPU
I did not receive my welfare check this month, and I'm going to sue Mr. Barack Obama.
Pi Anh: PPU
To darling 2:53 AM (Pi Anh: PPU)
I am not a SRP's supporter nor other parties. I just want to share my opinions honestly from my little education, I might be wrong, but let's see.
To me, I see Madam Sochou is a real good admired, moral lady. She has been showing that she respects the laws and people, she never speaks bad words about others even they are against her. For example her case with SomDach Hun Sen, she always respects him as we can see through her speech and action even though she gets no respect him and his men. That is so moral!!! I respect her that way. I respect her work and behavior, not her status.
Thanks
Talking about law in Cambodia. anyone experienced like I did. Anytime I checked in Pochentong airport, though I already had entry Visa on my passport, the check in officer always asks me $5.00! should I give them or challenge them? Opinion please.
Lonely planet traveler
Dear Lonely Planet Traveler,
I think you should not give them, it is okey to challenge with them. If you give, that means you are part of that practice, right?. If you do so, one, two or three times, you will get used to it, then bad habit gets into your brain (addiction). You will hardly want to get rid of it once it is installed. So, to prevent bad habit, you should not give them any penny. I did have the same problems, but I never give them even a penny as long as I am confident that I am doing the right thing. The thing is ''not doing bad thing for an exchange for the good (even good intention)"
Thank you so much for sharing!!
Thanks
Thank you 3:48AM!
lonely planet traveler.
Cambodian Town
Long Beach, Ca
To: 3:23AM
We Cambodian respect women with dignities, compassion; in the case of Mu Suchua was political purpose during election campaign. She should handle her case privately with Samdech Deycho Hun Sen before it goes to public.
New Phally
Secretary of State for Ministry of Interior and Adviser for First Vice President National Assembly
Fuck ah New Phally's ass until it gets overhauled....
I found in this site, Pi Anh:PPU is the worst human of animal mentality. Each he said was bad words and insult to other. I wish lightening will strike him so that he can go out with ah Khmorch Taihong Hok Lundy.
We CPP youth are promoting differently. We learn from China young generation who have removed all their old guards by staying inside CPP membership and then kick them out from inside out.
CPP youth promoting for a change and national harmony
to mu,
thank you for being a khmer woman and chase those scump cpp member a way from our country. good lesson for Hun sen, all kon khmer keep stand up as mrs mu, one day khmer going to be bright a gain as long as we have people like mu. thank to all khmer lawyer who are respect the law and stand up with mu. stick up the way you are do not let any thing stand on your way what ever you do it to day it is a history of kon khmer generation and a good example for them. thank you mu lawyer who are stand by her side no matter what. way to go mue, would you and you gange make this scump cpp party go to help and give a very good lesson them. probably this scump cpp party could learn somthing from this experience.
Yes it's another big lesson for CPP after a speech worths less than US$0.2 of Prime Minister. They need to learn that a speech could kill a Nation (Sihanouk at one point made after he was toppled, and Pol Pot had made the same). Remember in 2003 whose speech inspired riot that burned Thai Embassy and Thai business establishment?
5.14
If you cannot handle the heat, get the fuck out of the kitchen, asshole.
CPP youth, my ass!
L'état, c'est moi (Anh): PPU
Same to you PPU.
You cannot handle the heat from posters, but shouting and cursing lean kdet.
PPU your L'état is my sperm.
12:56 PM
I learned well from the KI and your species. Lessons learned.
L'état, c'est moi (Anh): PPU
PPU i 1 2 f ..ur mom................o..k?
I love chatting with these idiots, given the fact that these assholes do not acquire any knowledge of any kind of subject, with the exceptin of profanity, yet they still amuse me and make my day.
Pi Anh: PPU
Anonymous said...
So everyone don't think only Cambodian people don't have a job to do lots of people around the world don't have job to do.
I quest American control all economics in the world and all of them Republican party and they lost the voted with democratic so all of the businesses man they don't want open their businesses and they want to fight with bankruptcy everywhere everyplace so all the poor people don't have a job to do.All democratic in USA they are racing,jealous for each other.So what the poor country want to do?
7:44 PM.So all democratic in Cambodia want to be like USA?
That why right now all democratic in Cambodia try to do anything wrong way from the government idea every time. So please don't follow foreign country and destroy the own country.
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