Recently the draft penal code (criminal code) was submitted to the National Assembly for debate and ratification. Several SRP MPs stood up to discuss shortcomings of this draft law. The following are videos of their interventions at the National Assembly floor.
SRP MP Mu Sochua
SRP MP Eng Chhai Eang
SRP MP Kimsour Phirith
SRP MP Ly Srey Vyna
Showing posts with label Eng Chhai Eang. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eng Chhai Eang. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
PM: Northeast region will become Cambodia’s fourth economic ‘pole’
Wednesday, 30 April 2008
By Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times
“The areas of Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri provinces and other parts of Kratie and Preah Vihear provinces will become the fourth economic ‘pole’,” he said yesterday during the inauguration of National Highway 7 and Sekong Bridge in Stung Treng province.
The vast potential of natural resources in the Kingdom will transform the livelihoods of the ethnic minorities currently living there, said the premier. “For example, hydroelectricity is not only able to supply power to local markets, but also neighboring countries,” he said. “The northeast region is rich of mine deposits which can be exploited …. This is also a big tourist destination for Cambodia.”
Kang Chandararoth, director of the Cambodia Institute of Development Studies, said the establishment of the northeast regions as an economic “pole” would benefit the country’s economic development.
“Many economic poles would balance the development; labor forces would not be concentrated at only one place,” he said. “If there is no distribution of the investment capital and labor forces, economic instability could occur and hinder development.”
“The more economic poles that are formed, the better it is for the nation’s free market economy,” Kang Chandararoth continued, adding that it will offer more options to potential investors.
However opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Eng Chhay Eang voiced concern over making any hasty decisions to develop the region, requesting the government conduct an in-depth study first.
“Before turning any area into an economic pole, [we] have to make a proper study of the economic potential including impacts and profits from the development,” he said.
“We [the SRP] are worried because in the past there were mostly negative environmental impacts and citizens when the government introduces developments … It made the people lose their land because the rich and powerful people took the opportunity to abuse the development project for their personal benefit,” said Eng Chhay Eang.
However, Hun Sen defended Cambodia’s past developments. “I can say that in [my] political life, I rarely do anything by accident. I always take internal and external factors into consideration.”
By Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times
“We [the SRP] are worried because in the past there were mostly negative environmental impacts and citizens when the government introduces developments … It made the people lose their land because the rich and powerful people took the opportunity to abuse the development project for their personal benefit” - Eng Chhay Eang, SRP Secretary-generalPrime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday that by 2015 the northeast of the country will become the nation’s fourth focal point for industry and commerce after traditional economic powerhouses Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
“The areas of Stung Treng, Ratanakiri, and Mondulkiri provinces and other parts of Kratie and Preah Vihear provinces will become the fourth economic ‘pole’,” he said yesterday during the inauguration of National Highway 7 and Sekong Bridge in Stung Treng province.
The vast potential of natural resources in the Kingdom will transform the livelihoods of the ethnic minorities currently living there, said the premier. “For example, hydroelectricity is not only able to supply power to local markets, but also neighboring countries,” he said. “The northeast region is rich of mine deposits which can be exploited …. This is also a big tourist destination for Cambodia.”
Kang Chandararoth, director of the Cambodia Institute of Development Studies, said the establishment of the northeast regions as an economic “pole” would benefit the country’s economic development.
“Many economic poles would balance the development; labor forces would not be concentrated at only one place,” he said. “If there is no distribution of the investment capital and labor forces, economic instability could occur and hinder development.”
“The more economic poles that are formed, the better it is for the nation’s free market economy,” Kang Chandararoth continued, adding that it will offer more options to potential investors.
However opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmaker Eng Chhay Eang voiced concern over making any hasty decisions to develop the region, requesting the government conduct an in-depth study first.
“Before turning any area into an economic pole, [we] have to make a proper study of the economic potential including impacts and profits from the development,” he said.
“We [the SRP] are worried because in the past there were mostly negative environmental impacts and citizens when the government introduces developments … It made the people lose their land because the rich and powerful people took the opportunity to abuse the development project for their personal benefit,” said Eng Chhay Eang.
However, Hun Sen defended Cambodia’s past developments. “I can say that in [my] political life, I rarely do anything by accident. I always take internal and external factors into consideration.”
Monday, April 21, 2008
Sam Rainsy did not name Hor Nam Hong
Monday, April 21, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Regarding the information reporting that vice-prime minister Hor Nam Hong plans to sue opposition leader Sam Rainsy for accusing him of being the Boeng Trabek (S-21) jail chief under the KR regime, Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, defended Sam Rainsy, saying that the latter did not name Hor Nam Hong or any other individual explicitly. Eng Chhai Eang told The Mekong Times that his party chief did not name Hor Nam Hong or any other individuals explicitly, and that any individual who sues Sam Rainsy, means that this individual is actually involved (with the KR regime). Eng Chhai Eang said: “ During the KR regime, it was not just the KR leaders who have the power to order the killing of anyone, even the prison chief or the group chief, who did not even hold the same powerful position as Duch, had the right to kill anyone. All these people are also involved, but in order to remain free, they used the court to protect themselves. The criminals are not sentenced, and impunity still remains.” Eng Chhai Eang added: “If there will truly be a lawsuit, we will not participate in it, because we do not have confidence on the tribunal, it only hands out sentence according to the order issued to it, it does not provide justice at all.”
SRP asks the National Assembly to speed up important laws
20 April 2008By Uk Sav Borey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
On 18 April, the Sam Rainsy Party asked the CPP party president to organize a plenary session of the National Assembly (NA) to discuss and ratify important laws, including the anti-corruption law, the peaceful demonstration law, and the amendment to the general election.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said that this request was made because the National Assembly closed its door for several months, whereas Cambodia needs these important law: “We want a NA meeting … for important laws, such as the anti-corruption law, the right to demonstrate law. The NA is closed for several months, (but) it should ratify these laws (instead).”
In response to the SRP request, Cheam Yeap, a CPP MP and member of the CPP permanent committee, said that the anti-corruption law is still in the government hand, and it was not submitted to the NA for review yet since the law is lacking in many points and the government is still thinking about it.
Cheam Yeap said: “Therefore, we want legal goals in (conformance with) the new criminal law which is (still) in the government’s hand. We have to wait for the criminal law to come out so that the anti-corruption law can come out at the same time, just as it is prescribed in the law.”
Cheam Yeap added that, regarding the amendment to the election law, the government has decided to stay with the current law. He said that there were 2 amendments made already: once in 1998 and once in 2003, so the law is preserved for the NEC to work under the framework of this (current) law.
Regarding the peaceful anti-demonstration law, Cheam Yeap said: “Regarding demonstrations, nobody takes responsibility for them, such as the demonstration against the Thai embassy and Thai companies in Cambodia, the government had to pay back more than $50 million.”
Yang Kim Eng, director of the People Center for Development and Peace, said that the SRP is correct in requesting the CPP for the NA to hold its session to review these important laws which are much needed by the government. He said that the anti-corruption law was dragged along for many years, and it was not presented to the NA for review and adoption, meanwhile the general public fall victim to this corruption which is taking place.
Recently, an anti-corruption coalition of civil society organizations in Cambodia, regrouping about 40 organizations, plans to send, in May, a petition thumbprinted by almost 1 million people, to ask that the new government formed after the 2008 election to speed up the adoption of the anti-corruption law, because this law has been blocked for a decade long already.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said that this request was made because the National Assembly closed its door for several months, whereas Cambodia needs these important law: “We want a NA meeting … for important laws, such as the anti-corruption law, the right to demonstrate law. The NA is closed for several months, (but) it should ratify these laws (instead).”
In response to the SRP request, Cheam Yeap, a CPP MP and member of the CPP permanent committee, said that the anti-corruption law is still in the government hand, and it was not submitted to the NA for review yet since the law is lacking in many points and the government is still thinking about it.
Cheam Yeap said: “Therefore, we want legal goals in (conformance with) the new criminal law which is (still) in the government’s hand. We have to wait for the criminal law to come out so that the anti-corruption law can come out at the same time, just as it is prescribed in the law.”
Cheam Yeap added that, regarding the amendment to the election law, the government has decided to stay with the current law. He said that there were 2 amendments made already: once in 1998 and once in 2003, so the law is preserved for the NEC to work under the framework of this (current) law.
Regarding the peaceful anti-demonstration law, Cheam Yeap said: “Regarding demonstrations, nobody takes responsibility for them, such as the demonstration against the Thai embassy and Thai companies in Cambodia, the government had to pay back more than $50 million.”
Yang Kim Eng, director of the People Center for Development and Peace, said that the SRP is correct in requesting the CPP for the NA to hold its session to review these important laws which are much needed by the government. He said that the anti-corruption law was dragged along for many years, and it was not presented to the NA for review and adoption, meanwhile the general public fall victim to this corruption which is taking place.
Recently, an anti-corruption coalition of civil society organizations in Cambodia, regrouping about 40 organizations, plans to send, in May, a petition thumbprinted by almost 1 million people, to ask that the new government formed after the 2008 election to speed up the adoption of the anti-corruption law, because this law has been blocked for a decade long already.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
SRP plans to organize a new anti-inflation demonstration
17 April 2008By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
The SRP plans to hold an important meeting on Thursday to plan a new non-violent demonstration in Phnom Penh city, with the aim of demanding, one more time, that the current Cambodian government intervenes to lower the soaring price of goods on the market and to drag down the galloping inflation in Cambodia currently.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, told RFA: “Tomorrow, we will hold a meeting of the party permanent committee, because when we organize (the demonstration), we must inform the authority. We will not hold it the same way as we did before where the authority was creating obstacles for us. We still set up an actual plan. In the next few days, we will make the decision.”
He indicated that the meeting will decide on the non-violent demonstration march, and the schedule date for holding this upcoming demonstration, which could take place either in April or at the beginning of May.
Kem Sokha, HRP president, who used to make the same demands from the government, said: “These demands are the rights of the Cambodian people. The government must provide security so that the people can express their opinion freely. The HRP had thought about the gasoline price increase, and the increase of the price of other goods. We demand to hold a (public) forum, but the government did not give us the authorization to hold it.”
Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh police commissioner, warned about the SRP’s plan to hold a demonstration in the near future by saying: “I did not receive this information yet, but if it is illegal, then we will take measure to stop it.”
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy led a demonstration once already on 06 April, in front of the National Assembly. This location was authorized by the Phnom Penh city hall and the Ministry of Interior. Only about 300 persons joined this demonstration, whereas the SRP planned to have about 5,000 participants.
Sam Rainsy and party officials accused the city of Phnom Penh of closing all roads leading to the city, in order to prevent SRP supporters from the provinces from participating in the demonstration.
Regarding the plan to hold a new demonstration by the SRP, Prime minister Hun Sen issued a warning on 13 April, claiming that he will used armed force to quell this demonstration if this demonstration will turn into a People power protest to topple his government before or after the July 2008 general election. However, SRP officials reacted by saying that there is no need to fear the People Power if the current government is truly a democratic one.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, told RFA: “Tomorrow, we will hold a meeting of the party permanent committee, because when we organize (the demonstration), we must inform the authority. We will not hold it the same way as we did before where the authority was creating obstacles for us. We still set up an actual plan. In the next few days, we will make the decision.”
He indicated that the meeting will decide on the non-violent demonstration march, and the schedule date for holding this upcoming demonstration, which could take place either in April or at the beginning of May.
Kem Sokha, HRP president, who used to make the same demands from the government, said: “These demands are the rights of the Cambodian people. The government must provide security so that the people can express their opinion freely. The HRP had thought about the gasoline price increase, and the increase of the price of other goods. We demand to hold a (public) forum, but the government did not give us the authorization to hold it.”
Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh police commissioner, warned about the SRP’s plan to hold a demonstration in the near future by saying: “I did not receive this information yet, but if it is illegal, then we will take measure to stop it.”
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy led a demonstration once already on 06 April, in front of the National Assembly. This location was authorized by the Phnom Penh city hall and the Ministry of Interior. Only about 300 persons joined this demonstration, whereas the SRP planned to have about 5,000 participants.
Sam Rainsy and party officials accused the city of Phnom Penh of closing all roads leading to the city, in order to prevent SRP supporters from the provinces from participating in the demonstration.
Regarding the plan to hold a new demonstration by the SRP, Prime minister Hun Sen issued a warning on 13 April, claiming that he will used armed force to quell this demonstration if this demonstration will turn into a People power protest to topple his government before or after the July 2008 general election. However, SRP officials reacted by saying that there is no need to fear the People Power if the current government is truly a democratic one.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Hun Sen urging safety for all parties is nothing but "hot air"
Hun Sen Urges Safety for All Parties
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
09 April 2008
"What Hun Sen called for is just a good picture for the public ... In fact, the CPP has ordered its men to threaten and intimidate the Sam Rainsy Party" - Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-GeneralPrime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he wanted to ensure the safety of all political parties in the run-up to July's national elections.
"I don't believe Hun Sen. Because today my Human Rights Party sign in Kratie was knocked down. Hun Sen's appeal is meaningless. I ask Hun Sen to condemn the perpetrators, and if he cannot condemn the perpetrators, then what Hun Sen just said seems to push the perpetrators to do more" - Kem Sokha, HRP President
Speaking at a school inauguration in Prey Veng province, Hun Sen called on the authorities and security forces to take strong measures to protect the safety of "all political parties competing in the national election in July."
The appeal comes on the heels of accusations that ruling Cambodian People's Party officials were discriminating against competing parties.
"I would like to take this opportunity to call for all authorities and armed forces to take care of protecting the security for all political parties to work the election process with democracy, freedom and non-violence, in an atmosphere that all can accept.... All are very good choices for Cambodia."
Human Rights Party President Kem Sokha called the appeal a "political maneuver."
"I'm very disappointed," he said. "I don't believe Hun Sen. Because today my Human Rights Party sign in Kratie was knocked down. Hun Sen's appeal is meaningless. I ask Hun Sen to condemn the perpetrators, and if he cannot condemn the perpetrators, then what Hun Sen just said seems to push the perpetrators to do more."
Eng Chhay Ieng, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party, said Wednesday that a good security atmosphere ahead of the elections was ultimately up to Hun Sen.
"What Hun Sen called for is just a good picture for the public," he said. "In fact, the CPP has ordered its men to threaten and intimidate the Sam Rainsy Party."
Tep Nytha, secretary-general of the National Election Committee, said Wednesday there are 45,000 security personnel from the military, military police and interior police to be deployed at 15,000 polling stations nationwide during elections.
There are 20 security personnel in each district, and 10 in each commune, he said.
"This strong security measure can ensure security and safety for the election," he said.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Eng Chhai Eang supports the elimination of the NARLD
27 March 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, expressed his support to Hun Sen’s declaration wanting to eliminate the National Authority for the Resolution of Land Disputes (NARLD) which was formed 2 years ago. In an interview provided to The Mekong Times, Eng Chhai Eang said that he provides his support for the elimination of the NARLD because it did not provide any major result, therefore, the NARLD is useless. He also supports Hun Sen’s declaration saying that this agency is only using land disputes to feed other land disputes. He said that the NARLD seems to use land disputes to feed other land disputes, and that some of the NARLD officials turn their trip to investigate these disputes into opportunities to accept briberies instead.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Hun Sen accuses the SRP of wanting to eliminate the monarchy
Friday, March 21, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
On Tuesday, Prime minister Hun Sen accused the SRP of wanting to eliminate the monarchy to please republican party supporters in Australia and in other countries. During a speech given at a bridge inauguration in the outskirt of Phnom Penh, Hun Sen said that the SRP wants to please its republican supporters by saying that “the future of the monarchy depends on the voters.” Hun Sen said that no one can bring amendments to the monarchy, and that this is a clear message: the CPP supports the monarchy and the current monarch. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, rejected this accusation by saying that his party does not change its stance in supporting the monarchy. Eng Chhai Eang told The Cambodia Daily that the SRP has no right to eliminate the monarchy at all, and the SRP supports the monarchy and the constitution. However, Eng Chhai Eang said that the ultimate fate of the monarchy rests on the entire Cambodian people, and the SRP has no intention of eliminating the monarchy.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Eng Chhay Eang: Arrest of SRP officials in Kg Thom was because Sok Pheng could not persuade other SRP members to defect to the CPP with him
SRP defector Sok Pheng, Hun Sen's newly acquired advisorSam Rainsy Party Commune Chief Was Arrested for Intimidation and Detention
Chuoy Khmer, Vol. 2, #67, 19.3.2008
The Mirror, Vol. 12, No. 552
“The public understands that the arrest of the SRP commune chief in Baray on the morning of 18 March 2008 can be a tactic of the ruling party, to intimidate those who belong to other parties, so that some of those people understand that they have to defect.”
“Important activists of the no-longer-opposition party, the Sam Rainsy Party [SRP], are worried about the arrest of a party member by the authorities over the accusation of intimidation and detention of Ms. Tim Norn [by SRP members] in order to prevent her from defecting to the Cambodian People’s Party [CPP]. The SRP commune chief of Pongro, Baray, Tuot [or Thoun or Suon – according to different sources] Saron, was arrested on the morning of 18 March 2008 by police officers, after Prime Minister Hun Sen announced on 17 March that police must deal with the intimidation cases in Kompong Thom and Takeo against SRP activists who had tried to prevent other SRP members from defecting to the CPP.
“A source from Kompong Thom indicates that the SRP activist, who was arrested on 18 March at 9:30, is Mr. Tuot Saron, the SRP council chief of Baray, who is also the Pongro commune chief. The arrest of Mr. Tuot Saron is a case of intimidation rather than the consequence of a defection to another party.
“Police officers in Kompong Thom said that the authorities are searching for more SRP activists who are said to have been involved in the illegal detention. Those activists include the following three: 1) Mr. Thorn Rithy, the SRP deputy commune chief, the chief of the working group of the SRP in Prasat Balang and Sandan, Kompong Thom, 2) Mr. Maen Vannak, and 3) Mr. Hour Sarath, as well as other accomplices who were involved in the illegal detention and the intimidation by phone. After hearing the plans of the police in Kompong Thom, those who were involved in the matter are on the run to hide themselves from the police.
“The police officers added that the activist who was intimidated and illegally detained is Ms. Tim Norn, who is living in Baray, Kompong Thom.
“The arrest of Mr. Tout Saron, the SRP chief of the council of Baray, who is also the commune chief of Pongro, Kompong Thom, came after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered relevant authorities, police officers, and military police officers on 17 March 2008 to search for those who detained and intimidated citizens by telephone in order to prevent them from defecting to the CPP. Mr. Hun Sen said ‘They have not yet got power, but they have already started to prevent people from defecting to another party. They don’t have power yet, but they do such things already; they are so cruel.’
“Mr. Hun Sen added that as prime minister, he has to think of the safety of all citizens, regardless to which party they belong.
“Mr. Eng Chhay Eang, the secretary-general of the unreasonable opposition San Rainsy Party and a former addictive gambler, told journalists that the arrest of Tout Saron, the commune chief of Pongro, Kompong Thom, came after Prime Minister Hun Sen accused the SRP of intimidation. But Mr. Eng Chhay Eang said the arrest was because the former SRP Kompong Thom lawmaker Mr. Sok Pheng, who had defected to the CPP, could not persuade other SRP members to defect to the CPP with him. Therefore, he reported to Prime Minister Hun Sen that there was a case of intimidation against members who are trying to defect to the CPP.
“The unreasonable opposition party secretary-general Mr. Eng Chhay Eang said, ‘The ruling party uses its power to create such a problem. Who is the real intimidator? That is the ruling party itself.’ Also, Mr. Eng Chhay Eang asked the government to stop doing cowardly acts. He said the game should be played in an open manner, not like this. In Kompong Thom, six people from the SRP were voted to be commune chiefs, but none of them, including more than one hundred commune counselors, followed Sok Pheng who defected to the CPP. This is a shameful behavior of Mr. Sok Pheng, who made up the story to please the prime minister. The prime minister should not believe this story; and no action should be taken. Mr. Eng Chhay Eang continued to tell reporters that the arrest of the Pongro commune chief, of the SRP in Baray, Kompong Thom, is political and it is an intimidation for members who don’t want to defect. The arrest is only to frighten others.
“Civil society organizations are watching the arrest of the commune chief in Baray, Kompong Thom, and they are closely investigating this matter to find out if the arrest is a political intimidation, or whether Mr. Tuot Saron really intimidated other people by telephone.
“According to the latest report, uniformed police and plaincloth police surrounded the SRP head office in Kompong Thom, in order to arrest those who were accused to have been involved in intimidation and illegal detention.
“According to other informal sources, the arrest of the Pongro commune chief Mr. Tuot Saron is also related to other high-ranking officials who are SRP members. Police are investigating to identify those who are involved in intimidation.
“The public understands that the arrest of the SRP commune chief in Baray on the morning of 18 March 2008 can be a tactic of the ruling party, to intimidate those who belong to other parties, so that some of those people understand that they have to defect.”
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
By telling CPP members not to threaten the people to obtain votes, Hun Sen is confessing that the CPP used threats in past elections
Hun Sen tells his party members not to threaten the people to obtain votes
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
On Monday, Prime minister Hun Sen called on CPP party members not to threaten those who do not belong to this party to make them vote for the CPP. He said that such action would be a serious mistake. In a speech given during the foundation setting for a pagoda in Mesang district, Prey Veng province, Hun Sen said that threats do not bring benefit but that it can destroy benefit to the CPP because it is not the CPP’s policy. Hun Sen asked his party members not to take this route, those who use threat are extremely dumb, and the CPP does not act this way. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, supports Hun Sen’s argument in prohibiting CPP party members from threatening other parties. However, Eng Chhai Eang also pushes for these claims to become reality. He said that in the past, Hun Sen used to make the same statement, but when it comes to reality, it was never so.
“Our party cannot threaten anybody because we don’t have any power. In contrast, the CPP threatens members from other parties to join them”: SRP
Hun Sen accuses the SRP of threatening the defectors … again
17 March 2008
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
17 March 2008
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
During a visit to the province of Prey Veng on Monday 17 March, Prime minister Hun Sen demanded an investigation on threat cases made against defectors who were former SRP activists joining the CPP. The first case would be taking place in the province of Kampong Thom. SRP members would have verbally threatened party activists who were ready to join the CPP. In Takeo, two defectors in charge of recruiting new members for the CPP would have received phone threats.
“You are not even in power yet and you violate the right of the citizens already. What will it be when you will be in power?” Hun Sen launched at the opposition party.
Hun Sen’s accusation was categorically rejected by Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general. “Our party cannot threaten anybody because we don’t have any power. In contrast, the CPP threatens members from other parties to join them.”
For several weeks now, the defection issue affects the SRP. Several personalities as well as members at the base have left to join Hun Sen’s party.
“You are not even in power yet and you violate the right of the citizens already. What will it be when you will be in power?” Hun Sen launched at the opposition party.
Hun Sen’s accusation was categorically rejected by Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general. “Our party cannot threaten anybody because we don’t have any power. In contrast, the CPP threatens members from other parties to join them.”
For several weeks now, the defection issue affects the SRP. Several personalities as well as members at the base have left to join Hun Sen’s party.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The powerful ruling CPP is threatened: Hun Sen
15 March 2008By Sav Yuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media
Prime minister Hun Sen, vice-president of the ruling CPP party, said that a non-ruling political party threatened his party because the CPP accepted high-rankling defectors from that non-ruling party.
During the presiding over the inauguration of the Wat Slat Romchey Pagoda, located in Chub Trav village, Svay Chek commune, Angkor Thom district, Siem Reap province, on Saturday 15 March, Hun Sen said that a non-ruling party threatened and accused the CPP of buying people to defect from other parties, and Hun Sen asked this party to stop using the word “buying.”
Hun Sen said: “A non-ruling party threatened back because their members are leaving in drove, including the important leaders who came to join the CPP. Now they accused the CPP of buying out people, and the defectors are accused of being banana leaves (cheap), corrupt and such. I said in Kampong Thom already, do not use the word ‘buyout’.”
Hun Sen is not naming any party in particular that he claimed threatened his party, but, based on his speech, he is most likely pointing at the SRP which saw some party members defection and these defectors received positions in the government in exchange for their defection.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, rejected Hun Sen’s claim by saying that the SRP did not threaten the ruling party. However, he called on the CPP leaders who are ruling the government currently, to stop using government positions and government funds to dole out to the defectors. Eng Chhai Eang said that this money should be used to stop inflation, and to help create work for the public instead, that would be a much better alternative.
Eang Chhai Eang said: “When SRP party members join them, the CPP gave them positions. I am calling the CPP to stop giving out government position, to stop doling out money from the national budget to the defectors. This money should be used to subsidize for the ever increasing price of goods.”
Hang Puthea, Nicfec executive director, said that the policy of breaking up party members so that they defect from their parties is not a good culture for a democracy. This provides a bad example to future generation of politicians, and this will create a hurdle for the voters to decide whether to support any political party or not. “This culture should be eliminated, if it exists in the current society,” Hang Puthea said.
Recently, Hun Sen declared that he will provide government positions to all opposition party members who decided to defect from their party. However, on Saturday, he also said that the public should vote according to their conscience to select a political party each individual supports, and he called on an end to threat issued against the voters.
During the presiding over the inauguration of the Wat Slat Romchey Pagoda, located in Chub Trav village, Svay Chek commune, Angkor Thom district, Siem Reap province, on Saturday 15 March, Hun Sen said that a non-ruling party threatened and accused the CPP of buying people to defect from other parties, and Hun Sen asked this party to stop using the word “buying.”
Hun Sen said: “A non-ruling party threatened back because their members are leaving in drove, including the important leaders who came to join the CPP. Now they accused the CPP of buying out people, and the defectors are accused of being banana leaves (cheap), corrupt and such. I said in Kampong Thom already, do not use the word ‘buyout’.”
Hun Sen is not naming any party in particular that he claimed threatened his party, but, based on his speech, he is most likely pointing at the SRP which saw some party members defection and these defectors received positions in the government in exchange for their defection.
Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, rejected Hun Sen’s claim by saying that the SRP did not threaten the ruling party. However, he called on the CPP leaders who are ruling the government currently, to stop using government positions and government funds to dole out to the defectors. Eng Chhai Eang said that this money should be used to stop inflation, and to help create work for the public instead, that would be a much better alternative.
Eang Chhai Eang said: “When SRP party members join them, the CPP gave them positions. I am calling the CPP to stop giving out government position, to stop doling out money from the national budget to the defectors. This money should be used to subsidize for the ever increasing price of goods.”
Hang Puthea, Nicfec executive director, said that the policy of breaking up party members so that they defect from their parties is not a good culture for a democracy. This provides a bad example to future generation of politicians, and this will create a hurdle for the voters to decide whether to support any political party or not. “This culture should be eliminated, if it exists in the current society,” Hang Puthea said.
Recently, Hun Sen declared that he will provide government positions to all opposition party members who decided to defect from their party. However, on Saturday, he also said that the public should vote according to their conscience to select a political party each individual supports, and he called on an end to threat issued against the voters.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Kem Sokha welcomes Hun Sen’s declaration
Friday, March 7, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Hun Sen’s call for a free, fair and transparent, and non-violent election was immediately welcomed by Kem Sokha, HRP president, on Thursday. However, Kem Sokha said that Hun Sen’s call should lead to actual application (and not just words). He told The Mekong Times that the NEC, the armed forces, the authorities at all levels should be independent and should not be biased, or cause violence. Furthermore, the state media has only been used to serve the interest of the ruling party only. The CPP uses state funds, state vehicles to put to use to serve its own interest. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP secretary-general, said that for free and fair election to take place, state assets should not be used to serve the interest of the ruling party.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Mu Sochua denies dispute with Eng Chhai Eang
Tuesday, February 26, 2008Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Mrs. Mu Sochua, SRP deputy Secretary-general, rejected rumors that she is not in agreement with Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, especially during the election for the selection of party secretary-general position. Mrs. Mu Sochua told the Samner Thmei newspaper, in an interview, that, currently, she and Eng Chhai Eang maintain very good relationship. However, she recognized that there were some issues faced by the party, but this condition occurs in all parties. She added that her position as deputy secretary-general was obtained through the number of votes she received, she said that Eng Chhai Eang received more votes than her, and he became the party secretary-general. Mu Sochua said: “We are democrats, and we must recognize the decision made the voters. Therefore, those who exaggerated this issue, they want to create rifts within the SRP party. Nonetheless, the SRP is not shaking.”
Monday, February 25, 2008
Opposition: Raise in officials’ family allowance aimed at election gain
Monday, February 25, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Prime Minister Hun Sen asked Keat Chhon, the minister of economy and finance, to review the amount of money available to raise the family allowance for government officials. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said this gesture was aimed at winning votes in the upcoming election only. Eng Chhai Eang told The Cambodia Daily that this raise was done to attract popularity and votes from government servants. He said that even with a triple raise, the family allowance for government servants is still too low to live with. He said that the allowance money is not even sufficient to buy bran ("kantuok" in Khmer) to feed a pig. Khieu Kanharith, spokesman for government rejected Eng Chhai eang’s accusation, and he said that the raise of the allowance has nothing to do with the election. He said that the government never raised this allowance since 1987. Currently, the allowance money for the wife a government worker amounts to a meager 3,000 riels ($0.75) per month, and each children receive an allowance of 2,500 riels ($0.63).
Friday, February 01, 2008
Chinese Foreign Minister on 3-Day Visit
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (R) receives a bouquet of flowers upon his arrival at Phnom Penh international airport January 31, 2008. Yang is scheduled to meet King Norodom Sihamoni and Prime Minister Hun Sen during his two-day official visit from January 31-February 02. REUTERS/Chor SokuntheaBy Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 January 2008
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi arrived in Phnom Penh Thursday for an official three-day visit, in response to an invitation from Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
Cambodian officials called the visit a celebration of a 50-year diplomatic relationship between the two.
Opposition leaders said the Chinese government should help fund the Khmer Rouge tribunal.
"Because China once helped the Khmer Rouge, who made us suffer, if China wanted to help the Cambodians, it would donate so that those who have passed away and those who are still alive get justice," said Eng Chhai Eang, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party.
"If China was interested in donating money for the Khmer Rouge trial, it would be great," said Keo Remy, vice president of the Human Rights Party.
Cambodian officials called the visit a celebration of a 50-year diplomatic relationship between the two.
Opposition leaders said the Chinese government should help fund the Khmer Rouge tribunal.
"Because China once helped the Khmer Rouge, who made us suffer, if China wanted to help the Cambodians, it would donate so that those who have passed away and those who are still alive get justice," said Eng Chhai Eang, secretary-general of the Sam Rainsy Party.
"If China was interested in donating money for the Khmer Rouge trial, it would be great," said Keo Remy, vice president of the Human Rights Party.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Land dispute: Violent clash between residents and police in Sihanoukville
Police clash (L), Residents arrested (C), Home demolition by the authority (R) (Photo: Koh Santepheap newspaper)Monday, April 23, 2007
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir
Unofficial translation from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read Cambodge Soir’s original article in French
Friday’s eviction of about 100 families in Sihanoukville turned into a violent clash. Two cops were seriously injured, 10 of them lightly injured, and 13 people were arrested.
Thirteen people were arrested on Friday in Sihanoukville, they were accused on intentionally beating and causing injuries following the violence which exploded during the eviction of about 100 families who illegally settled on private lands.
A joint committee under the direction of two Sihanoukville deputy governors, Prak Sihara and Chev Kim Heng, was in charge of applying a city order, on Friday morning, to destroy houses occupied by these families in the Spean Chhes (burnt bridge) zone, Mitapheap district. On the spot, the residents armed with knives, slingshots, gasoline containers, and acid jars, were waiting for the police forces coming to evict them, and they violently oppose the cops. Two cops were seriously injured and had to be hospitalized, about 10 other cops were slightly injured. The residents demonstrated their anger by burning down several homes. The cops arrested 13 people who were immediately sent to temporary jailing at the penal municipal office, they were charged with the destruction of still-standing houses.
The [police] operation aimed at demolishing 75 homes built on 18-hectare of lands officially belonging to Thing Ravy, a Phnom Penh resident.
According to Chan Chamroeun, an investigator for the Adhoc NGO in Sihanoukville, 170 people are now without housing after the police intervention. They have established themselves in a makeshift camp close the disputed lands. “The police forces are still being deployed on the spot, and the victims of the eviction, the majority of whom are fishermen, now have no housing and no food,” Chan Chamroeun testified.
Say Hak, the Sihanoukville governor, said that the authority had prepared another plot of land to receive about 10 families living near the Spean Chhes zone, but that there is no solution planned for the other families who have settled illegally.
As the vice-president of the National Authority for the Resolution of Land Disputes (NARLD), Eng Chhai Eang published a letter in which he “condemns this violence, and [he launches an] appeal to the municipal authority and the government to avoid using violence in the resolution of land disputes” and to put priority on peaceful solutions.
Thirteen people were arrested on Friday in Sihanoukville, they were accused on intentionally beating and causing injuries following the violence which exploded during the eviction of about 100 families who illegally settled on private lands.
A joint committee under the direction of two Sihanoukville deputy governors, Prak Sihara and Chev Kim Heng, was in charge of applying a city order, on Friday morning, to destroy houses occupied by these families in the Spean Chhes (burnt bridge) zone, Mitapheap district. On the spot, the residents armed with knives, slingshots, gasoline containers, and acid jars, were waiting for the police forces coming to evict them, and they violently oppose the cops. Two cops were seriously injured and had to be hospitalized, about 10 other cops were slightly injured. The residents demonstrated their anger by burning down several homes. The cops arrested 13 people who were immediately sent to temporary jailing at the penal municipal office, they were charged with the destruction of still-standing houses.
The [police] operation aimed at demolishing 75 homes built on 18-hectare of lands officially belonging to Thing Ravy, a Phnom Penh resident.
According to Chan Chamroeun, an investigator for the Adhoc NGO in Sihanoukville, 170 people are now without housing after the police intervention. They have established themselves in a makeshift camp close the disputed lands. “The police forces are still being deployed on the spot, and the victims of the eviction, the majority of whom are fishermen, now have no housing and no food,” Chan Chamroeun testified.
Say Hak, the Sihanoukville governor, said that the authority had prepared another plot of land to receive about 10 families living near the Spean Chhes zone, but that there is no solution planned for the other families who have settled illegally.
As the vice-president of the National Authority for the Resolution of Land Disputes (NARLD), Eng Chhai Eang published a letter in which he “condemns this violence, and [he launches an] appeal to the municipal authority and the government to avoid using violence in the resolution of land disputes” and to put priority on peaceful solutions.
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