Return of the royal ghost during Pchum Ben?

Prince Ranariddh to return on 28 September and ready to continue his political undertaking

22 Sept 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the original article in French
Click here to read the original article in Khmer

Prince Ranariddh, whom Prime minister Hun Sen authorized to return to Cambodia in time for the Pchum Ben festival, will arrive from Kuala Lumpur on 28 September, Suth Dina, the new NRP spokesman replacing Muth Chantha, announced on 22 September. Muth Chantha seems to have been dumped from the party. Following the 27 July election, Muth Chantha joined Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha to protest the ballot during a press conference. Since then, the NRP has changed its position…

Norodom Ranariddh chooses to land in Siem Reap with his family and NRP leaders, in order “to join the Pchum Ben festivities and pay tribute to the ancestors and former kings of Cambodia,” Suth Dina stressed. At the beginning of October, he will return to Phnom Penh.

According to Suth Dina, the prince plans “a friendly meeting with the press on 2 October to thank them for publishing articles in favor of his return.” He also plans to meet King Sihamoni. Norodom Ranariddh will continue his political undertaking because “there was no condition set for him to quit his position the NRP president,” Suth Dina insisted.

Opposition parties’ reaction to Hun Sen

Thursday, May 29, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Hun Sen’s calling all parties to recognize the upcoming 27 July election results was met with strong reaction from opposition leader Sam Rainsy who said that Hun Sen should not force others to recognize the election results when the election is not even taking place yet. Sam Rainsy told RFA that Hun Sen should review whether the preparation for the election was done fairly, whether there is vote buying, and how independent is the National Election Committee? Sam Rainsy said: “A number of parties cannot be trusted, so he (Hun Sen) asked others to recognize before it (election) even takes place.” Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said that Hun Sen is currently boasting because the democrats are not united. Muth Chantha said that in 1993, when the CPP lost the election, Hun Sen himself threatened to lead a secession movement, and he ordered the secession to steal half of the power from the wining (Funcinpec) party.

Ranariddh Party Condemns Activist Threat

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
15 May 2008

The Norodom Ranariddh Party on Thursday condemned violence against a party activist in Takeo province, claiming intimidation was threatening the free and fair chances of the election.

The party alleges Ouch Ponn, a coummune activist in Baty district, was beaten and seriously injured by 10 men, including a body guard of Cabinet Minister Sok An.

NRP spokesman Muth Chantha said Ouch Ponn was “gentle,” and he called on authorities to investigate the beating, which he called political.

Baty Police Chief Ngann Sary said he had not heard about the violence but would investigate.

Adhoc rights investigator Prak Sarann said such cases of violence could spoil the election.

Last week, a former member of the Cambodian People’s Party who moved to the Human Rights Party was killed in Takeo, the third allegedly political killing in two months.

Ranariddh changes his candidacy to Phnom Penh city

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A report indicated that Prince Norodom Ranariddh, NRP president who is still not able to return home, changed his candidacy from Kampong Cham to Phnom Penh instead. Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that the reason the prince is presenting his candidacy in Phnom Penh is because he was a longtime MP representing the province of Kampong Cham. However, the NRP is concerned about whether the prince will have the ability to return home or not. Muth Chantha said that, in reality, we want the sentence on the prince be issued quickly so that the king can pardon him. However, if the sentence is delayed until close to the election period, and the NEC removes his name from the list of candidates, this would mean that the government does not want the prince to return home. Muth Chantha indicated that if this scenario would occur, it would be a serious injustice for our country which upholds democracy.

Cancelling the use of the royal language means wanting to eliminate the monarchy

Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

After Prime minister Hun Sen raised the issue of toning down the use of royal language at the National Assembly and the Senate, the NRP reacted to this idea of cancelling royal words by saying that this action is tantamount to wanting to eliminate the monarchy in Cambodia. Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper that Hun Sen’s recent speech is a violation of the constitution. The motto of the kingdom is: Nation, Religion, King. This means that the country has a reigning king. Muth Chantha added that if Hun Sen wants to end the use of the royal language, this can only mean that Hun Sen wants to eliminate the monarchy in Cambodia. Khieu Kanharith, government spokesman, reacted to Muth Chantha, saying that Cambodia has a king who is not involved in politics, and the king respects the constitution. Khieu Kanharith added that what Muth Chantha said was a very serious misunderstanding because he did not reread the constitution one more time.

NRP’s reaction to Hun Sen’s words

Friday 07 March 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A NRP official reacted to Prime Minister Hun Sen who declared on Wednesday that Prince Norodom Ranariddh looks down on the king when the latter refused to help pardon the prince. In an interview given to RFA on Thursday, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, called Hun Sen’s accusation a slander on the prince. Muth Chantha said that the pardon of an individual convict is the king’s right, and that this is not an issue of whether the prime minister asked for it or not. Furthermore, the fact that the PM is saying that a pardon can take place only if the executive branch asks for it, this is a violation of the king’s right because the pardon on an individual differs from the pardon for a group of convicts, and only the latter case requires the request from the prison authority after the convicts have completed 2/3 of the sentence and also have good conduct in jail.

You Hockry’s "rocket science" discovery: Nhiek Bun Chhay’s attack on Prince Ranariddh was for political gain

You Hocky (L) and Nhiek Bun Chhay (R) (Photos: RFA)

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Kampuchea Thmei newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

You Hockry, vice-president of the NRP, said that the attack on Prince Ranariddh by Nhiek Bun Chhay was done for political gain only. He indicated that the prince never betrayed the Hero-King (King-Father), everything the prince did was decided by the constitution council only.

Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec secretary-general, is constantly attacking Prince Ranariddh, and he called the prince leadership as being weak, and it led to the demise of the party popularity. Recently, in Banteay meanchey province, during a meeting with Funcinpec party activists on 18 February, Nhiek Bun Chhay told his party activists that before the 1993 election, Prince Ranariddh made an election promise that should he win the election, he would turn over power to Hero-King Norodom Sihanouk, but after the election where he indeed won, the prince kept the power for himself instead (by becoming prime minister No. 1). At the same time, Nhiek Bun Chhay accused the prince of being involved in corruption in the nomination of party officials to government positions, and at the end, the prince purchased the party’s headquarters and assigned its ownership to his name.

Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said the transfer of power to the Hero-King or not, depends on the decision of the constitution council, and there was no issue with the power transfer. Raising such issue was done with a decision by the constitution council.

You Hockry said in the afternoon of 19 February that: “I don’t want to talk about anything outside the documents, beyond that, I didn’t know. I used to say, and I even wrote an open letter a few years ago, and later on, I even issued a clarification, therefore, I don’t know what to say to let the public understand it.”

You Hockry added that after the election, the constitutional council did not hold a meeting yet, and on its first meeting, Prince Ranariddh asked to transfer power to King-Father for governing the country. The constitutional council decided on 14 June 1993, to: (1) provide justice for King-Father by considering null and void the 18 March 1970 coup d’état which was conducted illegally against the constitution, against the public opinion, and it considered King-Father as the legal state leader from 1970 on; (2) give the full power and all the special power to King-Father in his duty as state leader so that he has the full ability to salvage the Nation, and lead the country to prosperity, just like under the Sangkum Reastr Niyum era.

Therefore further decisions were for King-Father to make. You Hockry indicated that after the agreement on the constitution, everybody took the decision to present the case to the Hero-king in Pyongyang, North Korea, and the trip included the participation of the CPP, Funcinpec, and the Son Sann party. You Hockry said that he did not know the final outcome, only that Hero-King Norodom Sihanouk decided to adopt the monarchy, that is he reigns but he does not rule.

You Hockry indicated also that, until now, whether to transfer power to King-Father or not, it is too late already. He said that the perpetual attack on the prince was done for political gain only, and he does not trust it too much because Nhiek Bun Chhay lied to him so many times already.

A rude PM: "Anh tell you know, if the people keep on voting for me, Anh will remain (PM) for life"

Hun Sen the prime minister for life?

27 November 2007
By Keo Nimol Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Prime minister Hun Sen said on 27 November that if the Cambodian people still keep on voting for him, he will continue to cling on to power for life.

During a speech given at a distribution of certificates for students at the National Education Institute, Hun Sen said that some politicians are trying to prevent him (to remain in power: “I was talking about my age being this and that, then they turned around and said that Mr. Hun Sen, you shouldn’t set the age as the rule to retire. I say that if I remain (in power) for 10 more years, I will only reach the 60s, that’s not old. I tell you back: ‘Anh’ (rude form of I, used to look down on someone else) tell you know, if the people keep on voting for me, ‘Anh’ will remain (PM) for life.”

Hun Sen also criticized a number of politicians but he did not name anyone in particular, he said that those who have dual citizenship still want to present their candidacy to the premiership.

Hun Sen added: “Especially, those with dual citizenship, they will leave, we cannot sentence them. As soon as they are sentenced, they leave immediately, those with dual citizenship should end it, they are not brave, if they come to do politics in Cambodia, they should renounce their other citizenship, but they won’t, what can I do to them?”

Hun Sen also warned that if his party loses the election, he will not build schools anymore: “There is no interruption (in school building) when I am prime minister, but if I am no longer prime minister, I will not build anymore (schools), I am sorry, who you vote for, you should ask that person.”

Kem Sokha, President of the HRP which has a party policy of limiting the term of the prime minister in office, said: “Normally, if there is no term limit for the country leader, we will be faced with dictatorship, corruption, because those leaders can do whatever they want, nobody can limit their power. For example, if there is a two term limit, when a leader is in power, he wouldn’t dare doing anything wrong, because if he does something wrong, at the end of his mandate, when he no longer has power, he will be afraid to be prosecuted.”

Regarding the dual citizenship, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said: “I say that this is not the right time to raise this issue, it’s an old story. The second government of Cambodia is in power for three terms already, and during these 3 mandates, there are people who have dual citizenship who were in top position and in the government also, but there were never any discussions on this issue, this is one point. On the second point, the Cambodian Constitution, which the supreme law of the land, does not forbid anyone who holds dual citizenship from participating or holding position in the government either.”

It is noted that, currently, Cambodia is under preparation for a general election which will take place in 2008.

6 NRP officials defect to Funcinpec

Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Serei Kosal who recently defected from the NRP to return to his old Funcinpec nest, said that 6 more NRP officials occupying the position of provincial party presidents, vice-presidents, and work group officials, asked to be admitted to Funcinpec. Serei Kosal told the Koh Santepheap newspaper on Monday that the 6 officials are: Sum Huot, Sam Sun Doeun, Kim Vien, Bin Heng Paul, Huy Sareth, and Hem Kuoy. Serei Kosal said that the 6 NRP defectors left because they knew that this party is no longer being led by Prince Ranariddh anymore. However, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said that this information is not true. Muth Chantha said that the 6 are former defectors and they are not new ones. He said that Serei Kosal’s information is not true because the names of the 6 people mentioned have already been published once already.

Ranariddh will not join the Funcinpec funeral procession to the crematorium

Monday 13 August 2007
Kampuchea Thmei
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Speaking by phone from Malaysia, Prince Ranariddh has decided to nominate former comedian Lor Si as his spokesman in charge of replying to Funcinpec Ok Socheat, Serey Kosal, and Nov Sovathero.

Speaking to members of the commune councils, Prince Ranariddh said that he cannot join the Funcinpec funeral procession because this party is about to die. If he were to join the Funcinpec back, it will be a grave injustice for all those who voted for the NRP which received even more votes than Funcinpec during the recent commune election.

Prince Ranariddh said: “Our party is the winning party, how could we join a party that lost the election?” Therefore, the prince now openly declares his position that he cannot join the Funcinpec funeral procession to the crematorium.

Speaking to his constituents by phone, Prince Ranariddh said that Funcinpec is finished. With the nomination of his spokesman, Prince Ranariddh said that his new spokesman is responsible for answering back to 3 people only, and that Muth Chantha, the current NRP spokesman, no longer needs to the reply to the 3, and this task should be taken care of by the former comedian Lor Si.

Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, said that Prince Ranariddh is trying to catch his last breath in order to save his personal interest only. He said that Funcinpec needs no provide further comments regarding Prince Ranariddh’s past anymore, because everybody knows about it already. He said that Funcinpec congress held on 13 October 2006 was not done to bring shame to Prince Ranariddh, but it was merely a reform to change the strategy in order to salvage the Funcinpec banner which was spiraling downward.

Nouv Sovathero added: “We should think about the past events, when Prince Ranariddh was Funcinpec President, did the number of votes (received by Funcinpec) increase or decrase? We do not need to ask someone knowledgeable, all that we have to do is ask young kids who can add two numbers together. The number of seats fell from 58 to 43, and then to 26, what do these numbers say?” Nouv Sovathero added: “Funcinpec is still attached to Prince Ranariddh if he is willing to come back and join Funcinpec. Funcinpec wants to stress also that the prince’s words claiming that Funcinpec is about to die, are mere speculations by an individual who has no conscience at all.”

Serey Kosal said that he welcomes the prince’s decision to nominate former comedian Lor Si as his spokesman. Serey Kosal said that Prince Ranariddh never nominates Lor Si to any position for a long time no, even if the comedian was as party fighter. Therefore, the nomination of Lor Si as the NRP spokesman shows that Lor Si has stronger ability than Muth Chantha.

Serei Kosal added that the viewers should look as Lor Si’s past. Lor Si is a true fighter because Lor Si decided to follow Prince Ranariddh, and this cost him his job as the comedian because several TV stations, and he almost have nothing to eat at all. However, the prince’s nomination of Lor Si as his spokesman, shows that Lor Si now have a job back.

Serei Kosal added: “I told them again and again, it was long ago now, why is Lor Si not nominated as spokesman. I, Kosal, welcome and praise Prince Ranariddh who selected a nominee who is a true fighter. Whether he wants it or not, even if Lor Si is not capable of doing anything, Lor Si can always give a comedy show to entertain the prince and keep him out of his boredom.”

Serai Kosal added: “I pity Lor Si very much, because he lost his jobs, and he cannot show his face on TV stations anymore because he faithfully follows Prince Ranariddh, without ever faltering.”

F'pec: The eagerness to defect the NRP is a sign pushing Ranariddh to join Funcinpec

Friday, August 10, 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, said that on 15 August, Funcinpec will organize a ceremony at the party headquarters, located in Kandal province, to welcome NRP members who return back to the Funcinpec fold.

Ok Socheat considers the return of these people as their displeasure to the lack of unity fomented by Muth Chantha and Sao Rany. Ok Socheat said that the people at the grass root levels believe that the unity will allow the royalist movement to survive and become successful in the upcoming 2008 general election. Therefore, these people do not support those who oppose the unity (meaning Muth Chantha and Sao Rany).

Ok Socheat added that he is visiting the grass root bases so that Funcinpec members who defected to the NRP, return back to Funcinpec. He noted that in Kandal province, people have taken down almost all of the NRP signs. “If we travel from Phnom Penh to the cross road at Ponhea Loeu or Ang Snuol district, the view is clear, there is no NRP signs at all.” He claimed that there are numerous NRP signs being taken down in Siem Reap, Kompong Thom, Kampot, and Takeo provinces also.

He said that people are really eager to see the unity, and they want Prince Ranairddh to return back to Funcinpec, and that if there is a delay, it will be a waste of time.

However, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said: “We reviewed and followed the information about the removal of the party signs. We did not see any party sign removed during our trip to Battambang, along National Roads No. 6 and 5a.”

Muth Chantha added that all Cambodian people have the right to choose their political party, and leave one party to join another one, however, they cannot remove the party signs out. He warned that the removal of a party sign is a destruction of a party property, and the destruction of somebody else’s property is considered a criminal act. If the party sign is located within the property of a person, this person should inform the party. Furthermore, he said that some people participate in meetings because they want to receive the gift money promised by Funcinpec only, but that, in reality, they are still faithful to Prince Ranariddh.

Funcinpec-NRP tit for tat: Funcinpec turn to close all negotiations with NRP

Funcinpec closes all negotiations with Prince Ranariddh

Thursday, July 26, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Following the declaration made by the NRP saying that it decided to close all negotiations with Funcinpec two weeks ago, now it is the Funcinpec turn to declare that it has closed all doors to negotiations with NRP. Prince Sisowath Sirirath, the 2nd vice-president of Funcinpec, told RFA on Wednesday that negotiations or plan to invite Prince Ranariddh to return as party president have all ended because of the declaration made by the NRP spokesman to close the door on this issue. Prince Sirirath said: “Funcinpec had decided on 17 July that there is no need to keep contact with Prince Ranaraiddh anymore. There will be no contact, no talking anymore on the issue of Prince Ranariddh, we will stop commenting, we will stop talking.” In reaction to Sirirath’s claim, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said that his party also decided to close the door to negotiations after the NRP saw that Funcinpec was using tricks during these past unofficial negotiations to gain benefit from the NRP.

Disclaimer on NRP spokesman replacement

09 May 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

On Tuesday, the NRP issued a statement rejecting the information published by a number of local newspapers claiming that it plans to replace its spokesman. The NRP statement considers this publication as a psychological warfare and that it constitutes spying information fomented by foe parties with the aim of creating confusion and affecting the internal unity of the party. A few days earlier, a number of local newspapers published articles which stated that the NRP plans to replace Muth Chantha, its current spokesman, with Noranrith Anandayat, the former director of the Ta Prohm radio station before the splintering of Funcinpec into 2 groups.