Mon, 22 July 2013
Kampong Speu province
The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia
National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy greets supporters at a
political rally in Kampong Speu province. HENG CHIVOAN
Less
than 24 hours after landing in Cambodia, opposition leader Sam Rainsy
hit the campaign trail this weekend, delivering speeches across Kampong
Speu, Takeo and Kampot provinces on Saturday and yesterday as part of
his whirlwind, 15-province tour before Sunday’s ballot.
Speaking
in Kampot yesterday, Rainsy urged voters of all political stripes to
throw their votes behind the opposition come July 28.
“I
would like to appeal to all supporters from all political parties, if
you care about our nation ... we have to hold hands to find ways to
rescue our nation,” he said, adding that the time for quarrelling had
passed.
His
deputy, Kem Sokha, meanwhile, asked that voters monitor polling
stations come Sunday and fight back should they spot those from other
villages voting.
“If
you see anyone who doesn’t live in your village but votes in your
village, please, all of you, shout loudly in order not to allow them to
vote. If you finish voting, please do not go home, stay until 3pm to
wait for ballot counting,” he said.
“Please watch the ballot boxes to make sure they don’t cheat us. If you do, the CNRP will win 100 per cent.”
In
speeches delivered to thousands of screaming supporters across
districts throughout the CPP stronghold of Kampong Speu on Saturday, the
Cambodia National Rescue Party president and his deputy repeatedly
vowed to clean up the government.
“I
would like to appeal to all Cambodians who love the nation, who love
justice, who are sympathetic to the victims, poor people and weak
people, who were badly treated by land grabs and home grabs, to join
together to save the nation,” he said, speaking at a market in Chbar
Mon.
Standing
on a truck bed, microphone in hand, Rainsy addressed vendors outside of
Kampong Speu market, criticising Prime Minister Hun Sen for corruption,
the destruction of natural resources and the influx of illegal
Vietnamese immigrants.
An
estimated 3,000 supporters gathered outside the CNRP offices early
Saturday morning, packing the roads as they awaited Rainsy’s arrival; at
least one supporter fainted amid the chaos.
“If
we are not careful, Cambodia will become a Vietnam, Cambodia will
become Kampuchea Krom, we will be a province under control of Vietnam.
The current leader is really corrupt, so please, all compatriots, make a
change and have a clean leader, so that our country will be just and
can develop like other developed countries,” Rainsy told the crowd.
“All
compatriots – this is the last opportunity, if we don’t rescue our
nation, four or five years more is too late, Cambodia will be full of
Vietnamese, we will become slaves of Vietnam.”
On
Friday, Rainsy returned after nearly four years of self-exile following
the issuance of a Royal pardon overturning his 11-year prison sentence.
Speaking
to supporters Saturday, Rainsy stressed that he had never been guilty
and that the pardon – which was ordered by Hun Sen – was simply the
righting of a wrong.
Perched
on a motorbike, listening to the speech, 31-year-old Nov Sokunthen said
she believed the party would install a better pension system and
increase the wages of garment workers like herself.
“I
am really excited today, I hope our family will benefit from the CNRP
if they win,” the widowed mother of two said, adding that she alone from
her village had braved the CPP-dominated local authorities to come out.
“As
of this time, there is nothing more to be afraid of from the CPP. I
stopped fearing them. Even if they threaten, I will not be afraid
anymore.”
Running
up to shake the hand of Rainsy as he greeted supporters along National
Road 4, a 35-year-old who ran a taxi van with her husband said she hoped
gas prices and toll fares would drop if the opposition won.
“Our business is not really good, because we spend a lot on tolls and petrol,” said Hong Sopheaktra.
After
visiting several other districts, the rally stopped at Phsar Thnal
Toteung, at the border of Kandal and Kampong Speu provinces. As they
arrived, a group of ruling-party supporters pulled in after them,
playing music over the sound of his speeches. With little hesitation,
Rainsy disembarked and began walking around the market, greeting vendors
personally.
Minister
of Information Khieu Kanharith, who is also a ruling-party spokesman,
said Rainsy’s claims were little more than bluster.
“We
have no concern over the CNRP’s claim. It is like a wave at the surface
of the ocean, but deep down is the CPP’s force,” Kanharith said
yesterday, speaking of the apparent show of support.
He
also defended the government’s track record on cracking down on
corruption, noting that “we already have a law against corruption … all
high-ranking officials must declare their assets; we publicise the fees
of most public services. This is a starting point for a state of law,”
he said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY CHHAY CHANNYDA
1 comment:
According to Khieu Kanharith, Cambodia now has a law against corruption, and "this is a starting point for a stae of law". So someone high-ranking in the CPP is finally admitting that after 30 years in power, the CPP is just starting to tackle corruption. Didn't they know that corruption existed in the last 30 years? Or did they have their noses so deep in the troughs, that they did not want to disrupt their meals? Either way, it's time for them to go and let other people, who are more intuned with Cambodia society, govern. If you have not seen the need for solving corruption for 30 years, or even know that it existed, then you are not fit for office.
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