Sam Rainsy: SRP gains more supporters even with some party officials’ defecting

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

In spite of a number of high ranking SRP party officials’ defection to join the CPP, opposition leader Sam Rainsy said that there was no surprise to see these defections, this a habit of the ruling party which, during the period near the election, is resorting to use all kinds of tactics to lure officials from other parties with money and government positions. In an interview given to The Mekong Times, Sam Rainsy said that this luring did not weaken the SRP popularity, in fact the SRP is gaining even more supporters. Sam Rainsy pointed out that during the UNTAC era election, the CPP lured Funcinpec generals by giving them promotions and positions, nevertheless, the Funcinpec still won the election. In 1998, the CPP also lured SRP officials, but yet the SRP still obtained 15 seats in the National Assembly. He said that, in 2003, 7 of the SRP MPs were bought out among the 15 SRP MPs, he said that this political buyout did not weaken his party, but instead, the party saw its number of MPs increasing from 15 to 24. Sam Rainsy said that the defection of a few officials does not reflect the will of the people, it is in fact the CPP that is in a deadlock and it is resorted to the buyout of SRP official tactics, because it does not have any measure to stop the SRP (growth) trend.

Diplomas for school kids and medals for new CPP-kids on the block (i.e. SRP defectors)

8 SRP defectors received medals

Thursday, March 13, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Eight former SRP defectors received medals from the government of Cambodia. The Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper reported that these 8 SRP defectors were former high-ranking party officials, they include: Ngo Sovann, Sok Pheng, Chhit Sarith, Chao Phally, Lon Phon, Mrs. Tes Sopha, Nuon Pha and Pean Jean-Michel, some of these were former SRP MPs or former members of the SRP steering committee before they defected to join the CPP. Following their defections, they have recently earned the position of government advisors, and Hun Sen distributed to them Cambodian medals of the order of the Mony Sarakphoan, Thibdey class, on 12 March, at the same time he was distributing diplomas to middle school students in Kandal province.