Suit to proceed: Mu Sochua

Friday, 15 May 2009
Written by Neth Pheaktra
The Phnom Penh Post

SRP lawmaker urges objectivity in Bar’s investigation into lawyer

OPPOSITION lawmaker Mu Sochua maintained Thursday that she would not withdraw her defamation suit against Prime Minister Hun Sen, but urged the Cambodian Bar Association to act objectively in its investigation of her lawyer for misconduct, saying that she feared no one else would represent her if the organisation banned him from practising law.

"If Kong Sam Onn is disbarred, I don't know who I have confidence in and who would dare defend me in court," Mu Sochua said, referring to her lawyer, who is the subject of a complaint from Hun Sen's own counsel and former Bar Association president Ky Tech.

The Bar has said it will investigate Kong Sam Onn on accusations that he defamed Hun Sen. It said that he could be disbarred in a move that many see as politically motivated.

"Ky Tech made many comments about me that could be seen as an attempt to exert influence on the court. The Bar must show its independence.... This case is not about Mu Sochua; it is about justice," Mu Sochua said.

"I do not intend to withdraw my case from the court. Please rest assured that I intend to go all the way," she said.

"I will not apologise to Prime Minister Hun Sen in order to conclude the case. If I apologise to him, it means I accept that I am at fault.... Do not think that I will leave my pursuit for justice."

Bar Association spokesman Ly Tayseng said Thursday the investigation had not started because of the public holiday. "We expect to review the work after the public holiday next week," he said.

Mu Sochua is suing Hun Sen, saying that he called her cheung klang, a term that when literally translated means "strong leg".

She says the term can be derogatory when applied to women.

In response, Hun Sen is countersuing Mu Sochua for defamation, as well as asking that her lawyer be disbarred for violating the Bar Association's code of ethics.

Opposition Pushes Defamation Suit Against Hun Sen

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 May 2009

An opposition lawmaker and her lawyer say they will continue a defamation suit against Prime Minister Hun Sen, following overtures by court officials to find a compromise without a hearing.

Mu Sochua, a National Assembly representative for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, alleges that remarks made in a speech by Hun Sen last month, alluding her as a “strong-leg,” were sexually discriminating and disparaging.

Hun Sen has countersued both Mu Sochua and her lawyer, Kong Sam Onn. Mu Sochua said Thursday she would not drop her suit, despite calls from Phnom Penh Municipal Court to settle the matter.

“I would like to clearly stress that I do not need to negotiate, and I do not need to withdraw the complaint,” Mu Sochua told VOA Khmer Thursday. “I believe in my lawyer 100 percent, and he will not do wrong.”

“We have not withdrawn our complaint against Prime Minister Hun Sen, and we still continue to sue,” Kong Sam Onn said.

Hun Sen’s lawyer, Ky Tech, maintains that the premier’s “strong-leg” speech did not mention anyone by name.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutors have two months to decide on the complaints, and they have called both parties in for questioning.