By Sophal Mony
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
One SRP activist is currently concerned about his personal safety after he rejected a money buyout offer to join the CPP.
Yav Saruom, the 2nd Ta Krey commune councilor, located in Kamrieng district, Battambang province, said that he does not dare go to work at the commune office for the last 2 days following an offer of $100 given to him by Sok Kong, the Kamrieng district governor, in order to buy him to defect the SRP and join the CPP instead.
Yav Saruom said: “I can provide the proof to this case because I received $100 from district governor Sok Kong. He personally handed (the money) to me two days ago.”
Sok Kong, the Kamrieng district governor, denied while claiming that he was too busy in a meeting: “I apologize, I am busy in a meeting.”
Ros Korb, the Ta Krey commune chief, said that he did not know about this “heart buyout” in order to force someone to join the CPP, however, he commented by saying that if there is influencing, it is the political rights of each individual who has the right to decide. Ros Korb said: “This is our right, for me, as a representative of the local authority, I don’t have any goal, nor the money to go buy political party membership cards like this. The most important is that it depends on their mind, if you are being bought out, and you took their money, but then you don’t follow what they tell you, it’s OK, this is how it actually happens.”
According to Yav Saruom’s claim, the $100 offer given to him took place after a group of 3 men went around to buy people’s SRP party membership cards in Kamrieng district about 10 days ago. 200,000 riels ($50) were offered for each set of 5 SRP membership cards bought.
Von Pon, chief of the Battambang Provincial Election Committee (PEC), said that he did not receive the information about this case yet, but he said that this action is against the law: “The buyout is illegal, and if there are complaints sent to us, we will review the case.”
Yav Saruom claimed that besides the attempts to “buy the hearts” of SRP activists, there was also a removal of a SRP sign in Kamrieng district also. Furthermore, during night time, homes belonging to SRP activists are being pelted with rocks also.
Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, said that the actions which are taking place in Kamrieng district are illegal, and this clearly shows that the progress of the upcoming 27 July general election is not free and fair.
Yav Saruom, the 2nd Ta Krey commune councilor, located in Kamrieng district, Battambang province, said that he does not dare go to work at the commune office for the last 2 days following an offer of $100 given to him by Sok Kong, the Kamrieng district governor, in order to buy him to defect the SRP and join the CPP instead.
Yav Saruom said: “I can provide the proof to this case because I received $100 from district governor Sok Kong. He personally handed (the money) to me two days ago.”
Sok Kong, the Kamrieng district governor, denied while claiming that he was too busy in a meeting: “I apologize, I am busy in a meeting.”
Ros Korb, the Ta Krey commune chief, said that he did not know about this “heart buyout” in order to force someone to join the CPP, however, he commented by saying that if there is influencing, it is the political rights of each individual who has the right to decide. Ros Korb said: “This is our right, for me, as a representative of the local authority, I don’t have any goal, nor the money to go buy political party membership cards like this. The most important is that it depends on their mind, if you are being bought out, and you took their money, but then you don’t follow what they tell you, it’s OK, this is how it actually happens.”
According to Yav Saruom’s claim, the $100 offer given to him took place after a group of 3 men went around to buy people’s SRP party membership cards in Kamrieng district about 10 days ago. 200,000 riels ($50) were offered for each set of 5 SRP membership cards bought.
Von Pon, chief of the Battambang Provincial Election Committee (PEC), said that he did not receive the information about this case yet, but he said that this action is against the law: “The buyout is illegal, and if there are complaints sent to us, we will review the case.”
Yav Saruom claimed that besides the attempts to “buy the hearts” of SRP activists, there was also a removal of a SRP sign in Kamrieng district also. Furthermore, during night time, homes belonging to SRP activists are being pelted with rocks also.
Koul Panha, Comfrel executive director, said that the actions which are taking place in Kamrieng district are illegal, and this clearly shows that the progress of the upcoming 27 July general election is not free and fair.
