Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
THE Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) is set to pay 16.5 million riels (around US$3,928) in fines and compensation on behalf of SRP lawmaker Mu Sochua, a party official said Sunday, though the parliamentarian said she had not authorised the payment.
The fine and fee were levied after Mu Sochua was convicted of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen in August last year, a ruling that was upheld by the Appeal Court in October and the Supreme Court earlier this month.
The lawmaker has consistently stated she would rather face jail than pay the fine, and SRP officials have said the party would support her decision.
But acting SRP spokesman Kim Souphirith said that at a meeting on Thursday, party officials decided to pay the money in order to stabilise the party. “We don’t want to have an individual political dispute affecting the political party,” Kim Souphirith said.
“Sometimes we must think about the political situation in our country as well.”
The defamation case arose in April last year, after Mu Sochua filed her own lawsuit against Hun Sen, saying he defamed her during a speech in Kampot province.
When contacted on Sunday, Mu Sochua said she knew nothing of the party’s plans and repeated her earlier stance.
“I am standing on my position, which I have maintained all along: I will not pay for the fine, and SRP will not pay on my behalf,” she said by email.
“The fine can be paid only with my authorisation. I never discussed with SRP about authorising payment of the fine.”
Tith Sothea, a spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said Sunday that any attempt by the party to pay the fine would be an attempt to allow Mu Sochua to save face while avoiding jail.
“This is a political pretext to deceive the public’s eyes,” he said. “If Mu Sochua keeps her willingness to agree to jail, she should absolutely oppose [the party] and not let them pay.”
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO
The fine and fee were levied after Mu Sochua was convicted of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen in August last year, a ruling that was upheld by the Appeal Court in October and the Supreme Court earlier this month.
The lawmaker has consistently stated she would rather face jail than pay the fine, and SRP officials have said the party would support her decision.
But acting SRP spokesman Kim Souphirith said that at a meeting on Thursday, party officials decided to pay the money in order to stabilise the party. “We don’t want to have an individual political dispute affecting the political party,” Kim Souphirith said.
“Sometimes we must think about the political situation in our country as well.”
The defamation case arose in April last year, after Mu Sochua filed her own lawsuit against Hun Sen, saying he defamed her during a speech in Kampot province.
When contacted on Sunday, Mu Sochua said she knew nothing of the party’s plans and repeated her earlier stance.
“I am standing on my position, which I have maintained all along: I will not pay for the fine, and SRP will not pay on my behalf,” she said by email.
“The fine can be paid only with my authorisation. I never discussed with SRP about authorising payment of the fine.”
Tith Sothea, a spokesman for the Press and Quick Reaction Unit at the Council of Ministers, said Sunday that any attempt by the party to pay the fine would be an attempt to allow Mu Sochua to save face while avoiding jail.
“This is a political pretext to deceive the public’s eyes,” he said. “If Mu Sochua keeps her willingness to agree to jail, she should absolutely oppose [the party] and not let them pay.”
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SEBASTIAN STRANGIO
20 comments:
Paying the fee is nothing but admit the guilt.But this case is different,like the khmer used to say;
Naheuy oy vea chhneas tov,khpeum chhluos cheamuoy.
As bad as Hun Sen destroying the nation. Not one motherfucker have the guts and dare to kill this motherfucker, Hun Kwak.
Cambodian in Cambodia are fucking coward! I am glad I don't born and live in that pathetic country! Disgraceful!!!
SRP blinks and let Hun Sen bully them again, and the monster grows stronger and daring each time you fail to confront it.
SR said he read the life of Ghandi yet he learn very little from him.
Good Idea sam raingsy
Please give him as soon as possible
because he need money to carry to the grave.
vea chit darl pel vea ngorb hoeuy
THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF INJUSTICE SOCIETY IN CAMBODIA! LED BY GANGSTER LEADER(HUN SEN).
If the SRP will submissively pay the fine, therefore why not initially changing their party name to the CCP?
It is rather boring game to feed this arrogant bastard.he will never change and only submissive to his boss.
That is why I said,you do not know yourself but viet does.
Wake up cambodians!
pay the fine
no not I
Never
before: Hun Xen RULED Cambodia!
today: Hun Xen OWNED Cambodia!
before: Hun Xen Khmer Rouge!
today: Hun Xen Khmer ruined!
before: Mr. Hun Xen!
today: Dr. Hun Xen!
no need to pay , if you pay it means you are guilty .
What will happens when Md. Mu is in jail?
Someone needs to be in Cambodia and arrest the lion, he is kind of out of control behaviour.
Does any of SRP's members is SenVarman's dog?
Unfortunately speaking, in the article doesn't clearly or specificailly mentioned which one of SRP's members will pay the fine? I desperately want to hear any word from SamRainsy or Mu Sochua!
We should respect the decision of Mu sochea !
Justice will be wined !
I am sick and tired of this nonsense Mu Sochea. Go to jail if you turn down the offer. Are you that crazy? You won't last a day in Cambodian prison. Don't be a fool, let your party pay the fine!
Hun Sen is known as one of the wicked man on earth. Yet, he still is the most corrupted bastards in the universe. What a hell wrong with the people? Do something, please!!!!!!!!
SRP get used to pay CPP. SRP caugh and talk strong but after all they paid why? Because they only want to stand on OPPOSITION's salary. They can live with confortable life with those money in Cambodia. May be MU SUCHUA different who know? Or may be I'm wrong.
If Mu Sochua paid then none of SRP are different. SRP wanted only their salary so they can live on a confortable life style in Cambodia. They talk strong but ACT WEAK. Pay to stay on salary BRAVO!!!! Don't care who in jail except SRP MP. If normal Khmer people in jail that cause by SRP just collect a couple hundred dollars and sent to their jail's family.
4:50 AM Exactly!
Hun Xen is the worst and most corrupted dictator on earth that God shouldn't created him at the first place. Don't forget Hun Xen had money over power and the rest of his CPPs are protecting his 24/7.
Thai criminal court is not as independent as Cambodian court. If those red shirt were arrested in Cambodia, they all be put in jail, even they have parliamentarian immune. Like Prumphan, if he is the Cambodian politician for opposition party, he will not allow to stay on bail under Cambodian jurisdiction. Thai court is not as knowledgeable on law as Cambodian court. Thai court should study law from Cambodian court in order to make it independent as its court. See, jail here is very popular for opposition party members unlike Thai jail popular for Cambodian, Laos, Myanma... illegal migrants. I think Cambodian also should learn the bad practice of Thai justice system. hahaha..........
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