SRP MP (Mao Monivann) resigned from his position

SRP MP Mao Monivann

12 March 2011
By Den Ayuthyea
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soch
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

SRP party leaders have indicated that one of its MPs resigned from his position as MP from Kampong Cham, but they denied that this is due to internal division.

Son Chhay, the SRP Parliament Whip, told RFA on 12 March that Mao Monivann sent in his resignation from his position as Kampong Cham MP. The resignation will be in effect on 30 March 2011. Son Chhay said that Mao Monivann tendered his resignation to the party leader and the party leadership at the beginning of March.

According to Son Chhay, Mao Monivann’s resignation was not due to internal dispute, but that it is rather a replacement decided by the party permanent committee whereby each MP will change their position during mid-term.

Son Chhay said: “As informed, he was removed from his position as a provincial leader of Kampong Cham, this is the largest province of Cambodia. How he feels, I do not know, however, his decision – as I know it – is a good decision because, as a politician, he needs to respect his promise properly. When they change their promise again and again, it could affect their honor.”

Regarding this issue, Mao Monivann said that his resignation from his position as Kampong Cham MP was not due to the party kicking him out, nor was it due to internal division, but that it was due to personal problem and also due to the decision issued by the party permanent committee only. He said that he is not joining any political party and that he will remain with the SRP forever. He will present his candidacy again in the upcoming 2013 election.

Mao Monivann added: “This is a personal problem between myself and SRP activists in Kampong Cham, I talked about it publicly prior to the election. I said that if I lead the Kampong Cham province, and [the SRP] only gets 5 seats as in the past, I will resign from my position as MP, I will be hold my position for half the mandate only. This is also the decision by the party’s permanent committee during that time.”

Nevertheless, a number of civil society officials in Cambodia indicated that Mao Monivann’s resignation points to internal party division that could make the SRP lose its popularity during the upcoming election.

Hang Puthea, executive director of NICFEC, indicated that the resignation of opposition MPs prior to the 2012 and 2013 elections could make the SRP lose its support from voters and this is also shows internal party division.

Kul Panha, executive director of COMFREL, indicated that Mao Monivann’s resignation have some minor effect on this opposition party, but it is not a serious matter because the election in Cambodia is based on a proportional system rather than based on an individual candidate.

Kul Panha indicated: “There is some influence, but not like what it would be if was based on individual candidates. If it were to be based on individual candidates, and if there is change or resignation of candidates, then there would be a lot of change in the party.”

A source from the SRP indicated that Mao Monivann was recently replaced by Kuoy Bun Roeun as party workgroup leader for Kampong Cham province. This replacement was immediately followed by large reaction from party activists in Kampong Cham, and 20 party signs were removed during the month of February.