Thursday, July 29, 2010

Opposition strengthens rather than weakens

Sam Rainsy and Hun Xen confronting each other

Thursday, 29 July 2010
Chenda Keo
Letter to The Phnom Penh Post


Dear Editor,

People are not always on the same page. Our thoughts, perspectives and intent are different, and this is what makes mankind unique. A couple who adores one another and shares house, food and bed often does not share the same views. Even if there was no one else on Earth, the couple would still argue. Opposition is, therefore, always present in human society. The world is a better place today because each of us is unique.

On the one hand, it is without doubt that we cannot stop people from having different ideas; on the other hand, it is obviously indispensable to permit contending perspectives. Opponents of government always look for one way or another to express their differing views. If they cannot use democratic ways to communicate their antagonism, they have no choice but to resort to means that are hazardous to the nation. These include separatism, armed struggle or collusion with foreign governments to topple the government. The collapses of Sihanouk’s, Lon Nol’s, and the Khmer Rouge’s regimes were due mainly to factions – backed up by alien governments – with no democratic means to oppose the government. This is a lesson learned in our history.

Providing venues for democratic oppositions would not only ensure peace, but increased prosperity for Cambodia and a stronger and more unified ruling party. Dr Li Zhi-Sui, the personal physician of Mao Zedong for more than 20 years, wrote that the chairman never wished to take over Taiwan. In Mao’s view, the threat from Taiwan was making the Chinese Communist Party stronger and more united. If this is applicable to Cambodia, then allowing opposition would solidify the ruling party.

Ultimately, this would also legitimise a democratic regime. Allowing for democratic opposition is a win-win for opposition parties, the ruling party, Cambodians, and eventually Cambodia.

Chenda Keo
Centre of Excellence in Policing and Security

24 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Without Sam Rainsy, Hun Sen would be just a thief, a bandit or a dictator..
    Why westerners represent a bad person by an 1 eye pirate or 1 eye captain with boat..

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous5:01 PM

    SRP: When they are angry at you mean you do the right things, and afraid of you. When they laugh at you mean you a fool. I do not remember who said this, but should be from one of the philosopher.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous6:25 PM

    Ultimately, this would also legitimize a democratic regime. Allowing for democratic opposition is a win-win for opposition parties, the ruling party, Cambodians, and eventually Cambodia.

    It has to be a genuine democratic to apply in his theory to get a win- win for opposition parties. But if it is the way that Hun Sen and the CPP has been doing since they came to power with their view of democracy... There is no way Cambodia and its people can find prosperity, only the opportunist and the people in power can enjoy their prosperous life at the expense of their victims.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:42 PM

    4:54 PM I love you man!

    Their RAID-ERS with one eye captain of Chasing People Party.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous8:17 PM

    They are working together,but Khmer people don't understanding for each other.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:43 PM

    Most of Cambodian Polititians are DIRTY DOG, why ?
    They don't care about Cambodia either about Cambodians, they don't allow Cambodians to make a real choice, they always destroy their opponents or kill them..
    Those DIRTY DOGS are:
    Sihanouk, Lon Nol, Pol Pot, Hun Sen..
    Could you change a little bit please, if you want your grandchildren live in a democratic country with justice..

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous9:19 PM

    Excellent piece of writing. Very well thought out and analytically enriching.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous10:36 PM

    Strong opposition along with independent court system and independent legislative branch are vital for real democracy. The best example is the US system of government. The 2 main parties always take turn to be either ruling or opposition party depending how many seats they have in either chambers. It is a way to keep the government and the congress resposible to their policies. If a president is doing a good job, Americans tend to vote for the president's party, otherwise the other party will get more seats and the president will have a harder time to push his legislative agenda through the congress. In contrat, the system of government in Cambodia, regardless it is called Democratic by the CPP supporters, is a dictatorship either by Hun Sen or by the CPP. This is a direct result from a weak opposition. We should have free and fair competition to have real progress for the whole country. I just don't understand why Hun Sen and his CPP forget so fast why did we have communist movement back in the 60's and the 70's. It was the social and political inequality, Right?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Son of a farmer10:39 PM

    My beloved Khmers!

    I ain't highly educated or scholarly poliSickal man, but I eagerly wanted our beloved SamRainsy to think bravely, patriotically, and nationally that every one of us upon this earth one day death commetg soon or late, therefore he must come back home to fight against the CPP. Otherwise, in the rest of his life will never be won!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous11:12 PM

    10:39PM! there are many way to help fighting for freedom for your people! You need not to stay in the country and for this century we need to be heart by INTERNATIONAL COMMUNTY!!!! SO what Mr. Rainsy is doing, is rifght, in the modern world!

    Educated yourself and don't be a fool, 10:39PM! you know how to read and write English don't wast your time like ah Kwack's sons !

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous11:16 PM

    10:39PM! the bottomline is not a personal victory! BUT The freedome and right for the Cambodian!!!!! Don't be a fool! or a victime og lifghtning like ah Hok Landy!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous11:19 PM

    10:39PM! the bottomline is not a personal victory! BUT The freedome and right for the Cambodian!!!!!

    Don't be a fool! or a victime of lifghtning strike, liked ah Hok Landy

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11:54 PM

    Hun sen has brought up to be 59 years old as of today not because of his DNA natural instint would like to be changed for others but because he prefers to have other to change to fix his suit. WIN-Win model for CPP and opposition is not Hun Sen best interest but CPP alone can rule is much better than two. This has been a 1000 years old script from Angkor Wat period.

    Please hold this hope and wait until his son comes to replace him, may be things shed little light of sharing and cooperation. there is a sucession plan is in working as I speak right now...

    Mao Se Dong decided not to invade Taiwan not because he didn't want because USA will surely intervene to protect Kou Meng Taing regime.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Son of a farmer12:32 AM

    My beloved friend!

    Thank you very much for encouraging me to be an educator. I will languishly attempt to educate meself, especially on the history of Khmer PoliSick starting from SihanoukVarman to today. Unashamedly confessing, I still not only poliSickally or philosophically, but psychologically have never comprehensive of our leaders (such as SihanoukVarman, Lon Nol, Pol Pot, and SenVarman) are they not patriotically or unselfishly sharing power with the opposit party?

    Since I ain't academically or scholarly educated meself, I could not exclusively condemn or insult our beloved SamRainsy's action or strategy, but In the future he will publicly face SenVarman during the up coming election of 2013. In short, if he would not patriotically sacrifice his life to honor of Democracy, therefore not only we Khmers are slowly and suffocatingly dying in servitude and chains, but the deaths of the SRP's supporters could not make way for liberty and once again the eternal country of Kampuchea shall not be free!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous12:45 AM

    you know, in any civil society, people have to respect one another, trust me, it will take you a long way into reconciliation, cooperation, etc... maybe that's why sam rainsy needs to reexamine as in self-examination for his attitude is bad like the siem pad thugs, most of the time, i think! anybody with education in psychology can tell you from reading their tone of voice in literature, by video clip, by their rhetorics, etc... it's the bad attitude that drove people away from them. they all should study communication skills a bit as a leader; it is important to have appropriate communication when deal in official matters, etc... wake up, please! mr. hun sen and sam rainsy are not evil individuals like the stupid KR regime, please don't focus on their bad traits, do focus on the good trait as everyone of us have one. this is good advice, take it, it will take you all a long way to prosperity, etc... plus, there are more to cambodia than you and i, so why take it personally? wake up already!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous12:48 AM

    they should only be tough on each other during election as they contest for the votes, etc... however afterward, it should be cooperation, etc and wait until the next election. this is how the US is, please learn from america election system.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous1:05 AM

    image the benefits for our country when these two forces can cooperate and work lawfully with each other. wake up, khmer! enough already! there are more to cambodia than you and i, you know! stop hurting our people and our country! we have to love our country and want the best for our country and people at all cost. god bless cambodia and all our beautiful khmer people and citizens.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous1:52 AM

    Hun Sen is commiting the same error as his predecessors, Sihanouk, Lon Nol and Pol Pot..
    dictator, destroy or kill their opponent..
    It will not work, Cambodians are human, Cambodians need choice, need democracy, nee justice, NORTH KOREA regim is not a good pathern..

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous1:53 AM

    In this picture, it looks like HUN SEN is a Kmeng Wat and SR is an educated guy.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous3:21 AM

    Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
    Pol Pot
    Nuon Chea
    Ieng Sary
    Ta Mok
    Khieu Samphan
    Son Sen
    Ieng Thearith
    Kaing Guek Eav
    Chea Sim
    Heng Samrin
    Hor Namhong
    Keat Chhon
    Ouk Bunchhoeun
    Sim Ka
    Hun Sen...

    Committed:
    Tortures
    Brutality
    Executions
    Massacres
    Mass Murder
    Genocide
    Atrocities
    Crimes Against Humanity
    Starvations
    Slavery
    Force Labour
    Overwork to Death
    Human Abuses
    Persecution
    Unlawful Detention


    Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
    Hun Sen
    Chea Sim
    Heng Samrin
    Hor Namhong
    Keat Chhon
    Ouk Bunchhoeun
    Sim Ka...

    Committed:
    Attempted Murders
    Attempted Murder on Chea Vichea
    Attempted Assassinations
    Attempted Assassination on Sam Rainsy
    Assassinations
    Assassinated Journalists
    Assassinated Political Opponents
    Assassinated Leaders of the Free Trade Union
    Assassinated over 80 members of Sam Rainsy Party.

    Sam Rainsy LIC 31 October 2009 - Cairo, Egypt
    "As of today, over eighty members of my party have been assassinated. Countless others have been injured, arrested, jailed, or forced to go into hiding or into exile."
      
    Executions
    Executed over 100 members of FUNCINPEC Party
    Murders
    Murdered 3 Leaders of the Free Trade Union 
    Murdered Chea Vichea
    Murdered Ros Sovannareth
    Murdered Hy Vuthy
    Murdered 10 Journalists
    Murdered Khim Sambo
    Murdered Khim Sambo's son 
    Murdered members of Sam Rainsy Party.
    Murdered activists of Sam Rainsy Party
    Murdered Innocent Men
    Murdered Innocent Women
    Murdered Innocent Children
    Killed Innocent Khmer Peoples.
    Extrajudicial Execution
    Grenade Attack
    Terrorism
    Drive by Shooting
    Brutalities
    Police Brutality Against Monks
    Police Brutality Against Evictees
    Tortures
    Intimidations
    Death Threats
    Threatening
    Human Abductions
    Human Abuses
    Human Rights Abuses
    Human Trafficking
    Drugs Trafficking
    Under Age Child Sex
    Corruptions
    Bribery
    Embezzlement
    Treason
    Border Encroachment, allow Vietnam to encroaching into Cambodia.
    Signed away our territories to Vietnam; Koh Tral, almost half of our ocean territory oil field and others.  
    Illegal Arrest
    Illegal Mass Evictions
    Illegal Land Grabbing
    Illegal Firearms
    Illegal Logging
    Illegal Deforestation

    Illegally use of remote detonate bomb on Sokha Helicopter, while Hok Lundy and other military officials were on board.

    Lightning strike many airplanes, but did not fall from the sky.  Lightning strike out side of airplane and discharge electricity to ground. 
    Source:  Lightning, Discovery Channel

    Illegally Sold State Properties
    Illegally Removed Parliamentary Immunity of Parliament Members
    Plunder National Resources
    Acid Attacks
    Turn Cambodia into a Lawless Country.
    Oppression
    Injustice
    Steal Votes
    Bring Foreigners from Vietnam to vote in Cambodia for Cambodian People's Party.
    Use Dead people's names to vote for Cambodian People's Party.
    Disqualified potential Sam Rainsy Party's voters. 
    Abuse the Court as a tools for CPP to send political opponents and journalists to jail.
    Abuse of Power
    Abuse the Laws
    Abuse the National Election Committee
    Abuse the National Assembly
    Violate the Laws
    Violate the Constitution
    Violate the Paris Accords
    Impunity
    Persecution
    Unlawful Detention
    Death in custody.

    Under the Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed crimes against journalists, political opponents, leaders of the Free Trade Union, innocent men, women and children have ever been brought to justice. 

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous3:26 AM

    Which one of these Khmer Rouge(s) list below is the current Khmer Rouge Regime's leader?

    a) Pol Pot
    b) Nuon Chea
    c) Ta Mok 
    d) Khieu Samphan 
    e) Son Sen 
    f) Kaing Guek Eav
    g) Ieng Sary 
    h) Ieng Thearith
    i) Chea Sim
    j) Heng Samrin
    k) Hor Namhong
    l) Keat Chhon
    m) Ouk Bunchhoeun
    n) Sim Ka
    o) HUN SEN

    Fact:
    Pol Pot is a Khmer Rouge leader of the Democratic Kampuchea Khmer Rouge Regime.

    Hun Sen was a Khmer Rouge commander of the Democratic Kampuchea Khmer Rouge Regime and now, a Khmer Rouge leader of the Cambodian People's Party Khmer Rouge Regime.

    Chea Sim, Heng Samrin, Hor Namhong, Keat Chhon, Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka has been summoned by the UN back Khmer Rouge Tribunal court (EEEC).

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous3:30 AM

    Which one of these Khmer Rouge(s) list below is a prison chief of Boeung Trabek prison?

    a) Pol Pot
    b) Nuon Chea
    c) Ta Mok 
    d) Khieu Samphan 
    e) Son Sen 
    f) Kaing Guek Eav
    g) Ieng Sary 
    h) Ieng Thearith
    i) Chea Sim
    j) Heng Samrin
    k) HOR NAMHONG
    l) Keat Chhon
    m) Ouk Bunchhoeun
    n) Sim Ka
    o) Hun Sen

    Source:
    DC-CAM

    Fact:
    During the Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime;
    There are 196 prisons.
    There are 196 prison chiefs.
    There are 1.7 million innocent Khmer peoples killed by the Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime.

    Democratic Kampuchea Pol Pot Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
    Pol Pot
    Nuon Chea
    Ieng Sary
    Ta Mok
    Khieu Samphan
    Son Sen
    Ieng Thearith
    Kang Guek Eav
    Chea Sim
    Heng Samrin
    Hor Namhong
    Keat Chhon
    Ouk Bunchhoeun
    Sim Ka
    Hun Sen...

    Kaing Guek Eav is a prison chief of Toul Sleng prison.

    The UN back Khmer Rouge Tribunal court (EEEC) must indict 195 other prison chiefs.

    "I will not allow the UN back Khmer Rouge Tribunal court (EEEC) to indict more Khmer Rouge Regime leaders, I rather let the court fail."
    "Indict more Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders will lead the country into a civil war."
    Sammaak Mirt Hun Sen
    Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders

    Sammaak Mirt Hun Sen will no allow the UN back Khmer Rouge Tribunal court (EEEC) to indict more Khmer Rouge Regime leaders who is responsible for killing 1.7 million innocent Khmer peoples.

    Sammaak Mirt Hun Sen threaten to turn Cambodia into the Killing Fields all over again.

    War with whom?
    War with innocent Khmer peoples without weapon?

    Once a Khmer Rouge, always a Khmer Rouge.

    Khmer Rouge(s) continue to kill innocent Khmer peoples.

    Cambodian People's Party Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime's leaders and members:
    Hun Sen
    Chea Sim
    Heng Samrin
    Hor Namhong
    Keat Chhon
    Ouk Bunchhoeun
    Sim Ka...

    "Duch (Kaing Guek Eav) 19 years sentence is too short and not fit his crimes."
    Sammaak Mirt Hor Namhong
    Prison Chief of Boeung Trabek prison

    What's Hor Namhong trying to do is, he want the whole world to know that he is not a Khmer Rouge and a prison chief of Boeung Trabek prison.

    Hor Namhong is a prison chief of Boeung Trabek prison.
    Source: Phnom Penh Post

    Hor Namhong said to the French judge that he is not a prison chief of Boeung Trabek prison, in fact members of his family was killed by Khmer Rouge(s).

    Hor Namhong can lies all he want, at the end, he got summoned and will get indict, prosecute, convict and sentence.

    Criminals likes to lies.

    The place where criminals lies the most is inside the court room in front of the judge(s).

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous3:33 AM

    Who killed 1.7 million innocent Khmer peoples?

    a) Pol Pot
    b) Nuon Chea
    c) Ta Mok 
    d) Khieu Samphan 
    e) Son Sen 
    f) Kaing Guek Eav
    g) Ieng Sary 
    h) Ieng Thearith
    i) Chea Sim
    j) Heng Samrin
    k) Hor Namhong
    l) Keat Chhon
    m) Ouk Bunchhoeun
    n) Sim Ka
    o) Hun Sen...
    p) all of above

    Source:
    DC-CAM

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous5:32 AM

    Even with an opposition party, that party can't do much in a European style parliamentary system such as that which Cambodia has. The system for making new laws is very different in a parliamentary system because new laws come from the government (executive side) and are given to the National Assembly. It's not like the US system where laws are initiated by House members, and/or Senators. For this reason, I think that there should be strong consideration for a constitutional change that allows laws to be initiated in the NA and Senate and in this way, the opposition would be in a much better position to push their agenda.

    ReplyDelete