Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Dr. Chhim Phal Vorun, director of the institute for Civil Education and a Constitutional expert, gave an interview to The Mekong times regarding whether the monarchy can be abolished once again or not. He explained that “this issue must be divided into 2 parts. If we want to change the monarchy (i.e. replacing the monarchy by a republic), then we cannot do much because the constitution ties us to the monarchy. However, outside of the constitution, a revolution can be undertaken. There are two types of revolution: one that use the group power, and one that use the people power, i.e. the toppling revolution and the democratic revolution.” Dr. Chhim Phal Vorun added: “Like in Nepal, it was a democratic revolution, (the abolition of the monarchy) was not conducted within the constitution framework, but it was done by the population vote. Therefore, in Cambodia, (the abolition of the monarchy) cannot be undertaken within the framework of the constitution because the law ties us. Therefore, in the future, the abolition of the monarchy through the constitution cannot be performed. In order to preserve the durability of the monarchy, everybody must consider that the monarchy belongs to all of us. However, if Cambodia has only 2 to 3 parties which all claim that the monarchy is theirs alone, this situation in fact creates instability for the monarchy in Cambodia instead.”
