Nepotism and cronyism in Scambodia

Then-Prince Sihanouk (L) and Future-dictator Hun Xen (R)

With some luck, a teacher in Cambodia can supplement his low salary with a second income as a motodoop in order to feed his family (Photo: John Vink/Magnum)

Thursday, October 20, 2011
Op-Ed by Pissed off

Qualification for and obtaining a top job based on education in Cambodia is a wishful thinking, especially under the current regime. You will be used for your knowledge and experiences as long as you don't interfere with the flow and the interests of the elite or into garbage and possibly incinerator shall you be tossed!

Family tie is a unervisal characteristic of human being and is not special in any race. Cambodian family tie is not any more special or better than that of any race under the sky.

Giving jobs to your own family members without open and fair competition based on qualification is nepotism and it is blatantly everywhere in Cambodia and some undemocratic countries from top to bottom.

The case of Hor Nam Hong and his sons is a blatant example of nepotism. Norodom Arun Reaksmey's case is an example of cronyism or political favoritism, i.e. you scratch my back well, I will scratch yours. Keep scratching my back, buddy and don't worry about the state of the nation and thus her people, I will remember to scratch yours when one of my hand is free or when I have a moisturizing lotion to go with it.

Don’t count on supply of maids from Cambodia, says envoy

Special fare: Princess Arunrasmy hosting a luncheon for some of the abused Cambodian maids at her embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Sunday January 16, 2011
By PAUL GABRIEL
The Star Online (Malyasia)

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians looking towards Cambodia to resolve their domestic worker problems have to turn elsewhere.

This is because many Cambodian maids prefer to leave at the end of their contracts here for a variety of reasons, which include abuse by employers and inability to settle down.

Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia Princess Norodom Arunrasmy said it was also “too much” to expect her nationals to fill the vacuum caused by Indonesia’s freeze on sending domestic workers here.

“I often speak to Cambodian maids on my flights back to Phnom Penh and am told they are not renewing their contracts due to various reasons. Some are even sent home by their employers,’’ she said in an interview.

Cambodian Princess to attend Czech Opera Ball

Arunrasmy (Photo: RFA)

Prague, Jan 11 (CTK) - Cambodian Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, sister of King Norodom Sihamoni who studied in Prague, will be the patron of the traditional Czech Opera Ball to be held in the State Opera building in Prague centre on February 5, 2011, its organisers announced Tuesday.

The event will be held under the aegis of the Prague and Vienna mayors, and in the Cambodian colours since Princess Arunrasmy will attend it this year.

Part of the profits from the raffle will go to charity purposes. The money will be divided between the foundation of Czech-born top model Tereza Maxova in support of abandoned children, and charity projects in Cambodia.

"People will come not only for entertainment but they also want to do something good. This is why we have focused on relations with the Cambodian royal family," ball artistic director Renata Sabongui told CTK, adding that the ball's symbolic motto is "For Life."

Cambodia Has Come a Long Way! [-To uncover Cambodia's festering societal and economic cancer, one needs to dig deeper!]

PICTURE PERFECT: An aerial view of what Phnom Penh looks like now, taken from the writer's hotel window
ILLUSTRIOUS COMPANY: (From left) The writer with Princess Norodom Arunrasmy and Datuk Kamal Yan, Special Adviser to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak

Monday, May 17th, 2010
Rusdi Mustapha
The Malay Mail

IN 1991, I flew on an army plane to Cambodia to see our soldiers serving under the auspices of the United Nations in Battambang.

This country was just one big dust bowl and rubbish bin as it had to endure too many wars and invasions, and millions of its population were decimated by that evil force under the guise of the dreaded Khmer Rouge.

Today, the Kingdom of Cambodia is bouncing back with a vengeance, economically, politically and socially.

Last week, I had another chance to be part of an official visit there.

Our delegation was headed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

It was a moment of pride to see how Malaysia was being received with much respect by the Kingdom of Cambodian and its government.

Reason? Well, when Cambodia was down and out, Malaysia was there to lend assistance. You name it and we were there to help them without any condition. And sincere assistance to a country in need has borne its fruitful return.

Today, Malaysia is one of Cambodia's biggest foreign investors, besides Japan, China and South Korea.

As said, we are investing everywhere in Cambodia with the consent of their government.

Last week’s official visit saw Malaysian investors committing about US$1 billion (RM3.3 billion, according to AFP reports).

It was reported the private sector agreements covered “education, information communication technology security, produce deemed halal, coffee growing, a poultry farm, and in the plantation sector”. During the three-day visit, Najib met Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, and he pledged to encourage more Malaysians to invest in the kingdom.

Barely two years ago when I visited Phnom Penh, a ride from the Pochentong Airport (since renamed Phnom Penh Airport) on the way to town will expose us to a dusty road filled with red laterite dust, rubbish strewn everywhere and the proverbial chaotic traffic mainly filled with small motorcycles. But on this trip, it was a surprise!

It was like coming to a new township where everything is perfect. Can this be just for the sake of an official visit of a foreign leader that the road from the airport leading to the official hotel is filled with decorations? No, it wasn’t! I took the trouble to visit other parts of Phnom Penh and true enough the whole city has been transformed!

Indeed, Phnom Penh has decided to take a giant leap and the city is now, to my reckoning, one of the best and most comfortable cities to visit. Good food, friendly people, great scenery.

If you decide to, you can sit on the balcony of the Foreign Correspondents Club, sipping the great coffee and eating its famous cheeseburger and watching the river Mekong flow ever solidly and majestically.

According to Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, the Cambodians have a very strong resolve and they want the country to forge ahead come what may.

“We are a very positive people, the hardships we had to endure in the past, we leave them behind, but not to forget them as a lesson for us.

"Malaysia has always been a real friend to Cambodia and I see that relationship to be much stronger as we move ahead as a country.

"Investment from Malaysia has always been given a priority,” she told a group of us at her residence in the capital.

The princess is the daughter of Prince Norodom Sihanouk and she is also the Cambodian Ambassador to Malaysia.

During the lunch she prepared for us, we had laksa, rending and otak-otak and many more almost familiar Cambodian foods that are so like Malaysian cuisine.

AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines both fly to Cambodia and the flight from KL is only about one and a half hours.

Malaysians do not need a visa to go there. So, what are you waiting for?

King-Father's opinion: Members of the Royal Family and Politics

Translated from French by Luc Sâr

Members of the Royal Family and Politics
By N. Sihanouk

I asked, publicly and openly in front of the Khmer Nation, to the members of the Cambodian Royal Family not to be involved in politics any more.

The reaction in regard to this demand was strong and very negative, even hostile.

A senior Prince said: “to let oneself be fed by the People is to make them even poorer and to “bleed” them.”

Another senior Prince said: “I want to become a common man and get rid of my royal blood which still flow in my veins –sic!–”. And (he said) this to be free to remain politician.

A few years passed.

And now (in August 2008), what do we see?

A senior Princess and her darling husband are in disgrace and dragged down to the mud.

A senior Prince is condemned to jail sentence, and to avoid this jail (sentence), he is forced to live in (not golden) exile, overseas of course.

And the misfortune and humiliations of the Khmer Princes and Princesses who are fanatical about politics are far from being over.

(Signed) N. Sihanouk
--------
KI-Media Notes:

A senior prince who once said that he was willing to get rid of his royal blood to remain a politician

A senior princess and her darling husband who were discarded by Hun Sen following the 2008 election

Funcinpec to lose govt posts in poll aftermath

Happier days: Funcinpec President Keo Puth Rasmey displays his ink-stained finger after voting in the July 27 polls. (Photo: HENG CHIVOAN)

Thursday, 14 August 2008
Written by Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post

The CPP’s landslide victory means they really could rule alone but they’re still giving a few positions to some – but not all – members of Funcinpec

A fter taking a drubbing at the polls, Funcinpec is now accepting the scraps from the victorious Cambodian People's Party's table with a draft list of potential government appointments released this week suggesting the CPP will offer the royalists a vastly reduced number of positions in their new government.

"The CPP will hold all minister positions in the new mandate," CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap told the Post on Wednesday.

Every ministerial position formerly held by Funcinpec has been given to the highest ranking CPP secretary of state at the relevant ministry. In the draft list, only 32 Funcinpec members who held posts in the last government were given the position of secretary or undersecretary of state in the new government. Cheam Yeap said that the number could drop.

"As we won a landslide victory in last month's national election, all the minister posts that formerly belonged to Funcinpec will be given to the CPP. The decision to offer more positions to Funcinpec will be made after the swearing in of the National Assembly. The recent list was just a draft," he said.

But when Prime Minister Hun Sen announced last week that the CPP intended to keep its coalition partnership alive, he specified it would only be with the Funcinpec faction led by party secretary general Nhek Bun Chhay.

Nhek Bun Chhay will keep his position as deputy prime minister and some former Funcinpec ministers will be "promoted to the position of senior minister in charge of special missions," Cheam Yeap said.

The Cpp will hold all minister positions in the new mandate.

The five Funcinpec ministers in the last government who have been given this position are Kol Pheng at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports; Minister of Health Nuth Sokhom; Sun Chanthol, minister of Public Works and Transport; Khun Haing, minister of Cults and Religions; and Veng Sereyvuth, minister of Culture and Fine Arts.

Off the list

Conspicuously absent from the list were Funcinpec's President Keo Puth Rasmey, parliamentary candidate Prince Norodom Arun Rasmey, first deputy president Lu Laysreng and second deputy president Prince Sisowath Sirirath, the faction of Funcinpec who allied the party to the opposition immediately after the election and rejected the poll results.

"I am not disappointed despite my not being given a position in the new government," said Lu Laysreng, deputy prime minister and currently Minister of Rural Development, who added that any positions which Funcinpec would receive should be seen as a "gift" from CPP.

His own position has been given to Chea Sophara, former governor of Phnom Penh and currently a secretary of state at the Ministry of Land Management.

"It's a government of the CPP not a coalition government like before," said Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia.

"Every decision, responsibility and all accountability belongs to the CPP."

Keo Puth Rasmey, Lu Laysreng, Sisowath Sirirath, Arunrasmy to be dumped from next Hun Sen's gov't

None of the three Funcinpec leaders above (from L to R: Lu Laysreng, Keo Puth Rasmey, Sisowath Sirirath) will be appointed in the next Hun Sen regime

Funcinpec veterans not expected to hold positions in next govt

Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

Nhek Bun Chhay to lead fresh group of royalists to fill limited, junior positions as party leaders get squeezed out of holding any senior spots

FOUR of Funcinpec's top officials are not expected to hold positions in Prime Minister Hun Sen's next government, ruling and royalist party officials said Monday.

"There are probably no positions for Funcinpec's president Keo Puth Rasmey; parliamentary candidate Prince Norodom Arun Rasmey; second deputy president Prince Sisowath Sirirath; and first deputy president Lu Laysreng, said CPP spokesman Khieu Kanharith. Instead, he said, Funcinpec secretary general Nhek Bun Chhay and his close colleagues will be given positions.

Keo Puth Rasmey and his colleagues have been warned by Hun Sen not to expect any role in the new government after he accused them of supporting an opposition party rejection of the July 27 poll results.

Instead, a Funcinpec faction led by party secretary general Nhek Bun Chhay is expected to enter into a coalition deal with the CPP.

But Prince Sisowath Sirirath said Monday that Funcinpec is still led by Keo Puth Rasmey, clarifying that Nhek Bun Chhay is not leading a splinter group inside Funcinpec.

"Whoever said that Funcinpec was led by Nhek Bun Chhay is wrong, Funcinpec is only one not separated as two," Sisowath Sirirath said.

He added, "We have nothing to say about joining the government, but we congratulate our friends."

Lu Laysreng said it wasn't important for him to hold a post in the new government. "For these seats there are no positions for us, so let the young generation do it," he said.

Nhek Bun Chhay noted that the royalists have two positions available to them, albeit lower posts than the royalist veterans have held. Because Keo Puth Rasmey and Lu Laysreng could advance no further than deputy prime minister, posts in which they have already served, it was decided to promote new people, he said.

"We have four senior ministers but there are no minister positions for us, only secretary of state and under secretary of state," Nhek Bun Chhay said.

Statement by HRH The Princess Royal Samdech NORODOM ARUNRASMY, Funcinpec Party

Kingdom of Cambodia
Nation Religion King

FUNCINPEC PARTY

Statement
by
HRH The Princess Royal Samdech
NORODOM ARUNRASMY
FUNCINPEC PARTY
28 July 2008

Now that the election is over and that the people of Cambodia have spoken out, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to all party members, from the leadership to the grassroots, for their exemplary work before and during the campaign.

It was a tremendous privilege for my husband and I to be able to visit the provinces of Cambodia and to exchange views with so many compatriots, both supporters and non-supporters of FUNCINPEC, and to hear about their hopes and aspirations for their future.

During these meetings, I learned much about our people’s wishes to live in peace, with full respect for human rights, rule of law, free of corruption, and prosperity for all not just a few. I also learned that our people wanted change but it seems, from the outcome of the election, that our people’s wishes were not respected and that pressure was too strong and their desire for change was suppressed.

As Winston Churchill used to say “a country without a conscience is a country without a soul, and a country without a soul is a country that cannot survive”. Because of my love for my homeland, I earnestly hope that this is not the case for Cambodia.

When I accepted to lead the FUNCINPEC Party to the election, it was with a sense of duty, honour and dignity. Above all, it was with a sense of gratitude to our King Father, His Majesty Samdech Preah NORODOM SIHANOUK, founder of FUNCINPEC and Father of modern independent Cambodia. Yet, during the electoral campaign, I was not even allowed to mention that our King Father had established FUNCINPEC against all odds and that he had struggled for over ten years until peace, independence and freedom were given back to Cambodia and her people.

I owe my deepest gratitude to my Royal Father that Cambodia can today enjoy peace and stability, and I am sad that His Majesty’s noble efforts are, under this crucial and sensitive circumstance, not genuinely recognized and, consequently, we are not allowed to mention them when we talk to our people, whose love and affection for His Majesty remain undiminished.

During the past months, I worked hard to restore the tarnished image of FUNCINPEC to what it used to be, the symbol of past peaceful and prosperous years. I am profoundly disappointed that people have worked hard to discredit me before even giving me the chance to prove myself as a hard working and conscientious woman.

FUNCINPEC has also loyally contributed to the peace and stability of the country. Instead, we have been accused of selling out, of being puppets, etc… If we had acted or behaved in a different way, peace and stability would have been broken and the election may not even have taken place.

I am convinced that deep inside their heart, the people of Cambodia know that I have tried hard but that there are powers at work that are stronger than our humble intentions and efforts to help the people of this beautiful country of ours.

I wish everybody much happiness, good health and well-being and I thank you again for your support.

NORODOM ARUNRASMY

Hun-hin-who? (No pun intended!)

Royalist FUNCINPEC party leader Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, daughter of King Sihanouk, greets her supporters during their last rally in Phnom Penh July 25, 2008. Cambodia is due to hold a general election on July 27. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Royalist FUNCINPEC party leader Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey, daughter of King Sihanouk, greets her supporters during their last rally in Phnom Penh July 25, 2008. Cambodia is due to hold a general election on July 27. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
A truck carrying supporters of Royalist FUNCINPEC party rally in Phnom Penh July 25, 2008. Cambodia is due to hold a general election on July 27. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
Supporters of Royalist FUNCINPEC party wave as they hold party logo flags during their last rally in Phnom Penh July 25, 2008. Cambodia is due to hold a general election on July 27. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea
The Royalist Funcinpec Party supporters wave the party flags during the last day of national election campaign in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Friday, July 25, 2008. Cambodians go vote for national election on July 27, 2008. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Nhiek Bun chhay Dubbed 'Hun Sen Puppet' for Plotting To Merge FUNCINPEC With CPP

05 Jul 08
By Veasna
Samleng Yuveakchon Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth)
Translated from Khmer by Anonymous

Nhiek Bun chhay said in his own voice, "I thought out and prepared the plot against Prince Norodom Ranariddh by staging a party coup to overthrow him five months earlier." In fact, mostly people knew about the plot of the Nhiek Bun chhay group at the beginning of October 2006 when Hun Sen used a ceremony in Kampong Chhnang province to publicly order Nhiek Bun chhay to overthrow Prince Norodom Ranariddh as president of the FUNCINPEC [National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, and Peaceful Cambodia] Party.

Hun Sen's remark there made other people know that he certainly was regularly informed by Nhiek Bun chhay about the working of the plot to eliminate Prince Norodom Ranariddh and annihilate the FUNCINPEC Party.

At the same time, Nhiek Bun chhay, then deeply contrite because the FUNCINPEC Party was broken up by his own ignorance and stupidity and that of his group, made a confession without hiding anything. He admitted that he and his cronies cooked up the plot to betray Prince Norodom Ranariddh five months before the party coup.

It is true that Nhiek Bun chhay himself spoke at a secret close-door meeting of the party's internal circle in Kampong Cham province during which he frankly declared that he held frequent secret meetings with Hun Sen in order to discuss the plan to merge the FUNCINPEC Party with the Cambodian People's Party [CPP].

One of Nhiek Bun chhay's men sneaked out a tape recording of his remarks and gave it to the Norodom Ranariddh Party [NRP] to broadcast in its Voice of the Royalists program.

According to Nhiek Bun chhay's recorded confession about the betrayal, he said, "I had several meetings with Samdech Hun Sen in order to discuss the plan to merge the whole FUNCINPEC Party with the CPP. But Samdech Hun Sen said, 'Wait, it is not time yet. Let us wait a little more.'"

This is clear, irrefutable evidence of Nhiek Bun chhay's plan to become Hun Sen's puppet in order to neutralize and destroy the FUNCINPEC Party and incorporate it into the CPP.

Hun Sen himself said at an internal secret meeting in Pouthisat province in the morning of 23 June 2008, a tape recording of which the NRP also broadcasted for the information of the Cambodian people, that Nhiek Bun chhay's FUNCINPEC Party was his puppet.

Hun Sen talked about the FUNCINPEC Party of Nhiek Bun chhay, Arun Reaksmei, and Kev Put Reaksmei, saying that "the current breakup of the FUNCINPEC Party shows that this party is truly a puppet of Hun Sen."

The political attitude, in which Nhiek Bun chhay cheapened himself in the plot to sell out the Nhiek Bun chhay party to Hun Sen's CPP in return for just having the CPP accepted himself, Nhiek Bun chhay, and his cronies, clearly shows the political and personal worthlessness of Nhiek Bun chhay, Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei, Sisowath Sirirat, Loe Laysreng, and their henchmen Serei Kosal, Ok Socheat, Kim Vien, and so on.

The personal worthiness of Nhiek Bun chhay and the other FUNCINPEC Party chieftains, including Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei, Serei Kosal, Ok Socheat, and Kim Vien was over once Nhiek Bun chhay admitted to the FUNCINPEC Party's internal circle that he had contacted Hun Sen to disintegrate the FUNCINPEC Party and incorporate it into the CPP.

And to the Cambodian people who have just learned about the truth that has been revealed one after another concerning Nhiek Bun chhay's plot to sell out the FUNCINPEC Party to Hun Sen's CPP disclosed by the Voice of the Royalists, Nhiek Bun chhay, Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei, Sisowath Sirirat, Loe Laysreng and their henchmen Serei Kosal, Ok Socheat, and Kim Vien are nothing but puppets of Hun Sen.

Hun Sen himself after using Nhiek Bun chhay to break up the FUNCINPEC Party by eliminating Prince Norodom Ranariddh has considered the group of Nhiek Bun chhay, Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei, Loe Laysreng, and Sisowath Sirirat as his worthless puppet politicians.

What Hun Sen said should be enough to make Nhiek Bun chhay, Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei, Loe Laysreng, and Sisowath Sirirat vomit blood right away if they knew how to use their brain to cogitate correctly. Hun Sen said that the CPP would not share anything with the FUNCINPEC Party; do not wait for it. Hun Sen made this remark as he knew that the FUNCINPEC Party would not win a single seat in parliament and would soon disintegrate.

One thing that more clearly affirms that the FUNCINPEC Party of Nhiek Bun chhay, Arunreaksmei, Kev Put Reaksmei was born out of the 18 October 2006 party coup is that the overthrow of Prince Norodom Ranariddh was a treason in line with Nhiek Bun chhay's plot to breakup the FUNCINPEC and incorporate it into Hun Sen's CPP. All this has become only too obvious.

Princess Arunreaksmei, prime ministerial candidate of the FUNCINPEC Party, has already admitted that she has betrayed her own half-brother Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

Cambodia King cruise for a closer look at Kg Ayer

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
By Hj MinorAbsah
Borneo Bulletin

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Preah Bat Samdeeh Preah Boromneath Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia, went on a river cruise for a closer look at Kg Ayer yesterday afternoon.

The Cambodian King, who is in the country for a three-day official visit, was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Samdeeh Reach Botrei Preah Anoch Norodom Arunrasmy, His Majesty the King's Sister.

His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni was greeted upon arrival at the Custom's Wharf by the Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya sohan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Adanan Begawan Pehin Siraj a Khatib Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Mohd Yusof.

Using the Tanjong Bakarang vessel, the King and his entourage were brought to cruise along the Brunei River and were briefed on the history and culture of Kg Ayer.

They then made a brief stop at Kg Tanioi Ujung and at the residence of Pengarah Hj Mokti Md Salleh, the Penghulu of Mukim Tamoi.

At the residence, His Majesty King Sihamoni was treated with traditional Malay delicacies as well as a showcase of local traditional handicrafts. His Majesty and the King's sister were also presented with souvenirs as a token of the visit.

Following the brief stop, the visitors then continued with their river guise before heading back to the Custom's Wharf.

Also present during the visit was the minister in attendance, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Abdul Rahman Dato Setia Hj Mohamed Taib, Minister of Education as well as the Cambodian Ambassador to Brunei, Nan Sy.

F’pec sues NRP deputy secretary-general for $1 million for defamation

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Funcinpec party sued the NRP deputy secretary-general for defamation and spreading false information, and it asked for $1 million in damage compensation from the latter for saying that Princess Arunrasmi has a first and a second husband. Furthermore, Funcinpec plans to sue You Hockry, NRP secretary-general, and Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, on this same case also. Ok Socheat, Funcinpec advisor, told the Rasmei Kampuchea on 07 March that his party, the Funcinpec, sued Thav Kim Hor, NRP deputy secretary-general on 06 March on 4 counts: (1) for cursing and scorning, defaming Princess Arunrasmi, (2) for spreading false information, (3) for violating a woman right, and (4) for incitation and discrimination. Thav Kim Hor said that he is not worried about this lawsuit because he did not defame the princess, he only said that Prince Sisowath Sirirath (Funcinpec party vice-president) was the princess ex-husband, and Keo Puth Rasmey (Funcinpec president) is her second husband. He said that King-Father used to say this also, why don’t they sue him as well?
------
KI-Media note: The Cambodia Daily reported on 10 March that, according to Ok Socheat, Thav Kim Hor allegedly said that the fact that the princess has an ex-husband and a second husband, this makes her unfit to lead.

Thomico: The royals cursing each others is a loss

Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Prince Sisowath Thomico talked to the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper about the criticisms leveled by Prince Norodom Ranariddh against Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, his younger sister, saying that: “Talking about cursing one another, there is no gain in there, there is only more loss. In the past, I used to say that I do not support the strategy whereby the royals are fighting one another, in particular when a younger royal sibling is fighting against her older sibling. But now, it is as I predicted. At the end, both of them are competing against one another, just like enemies.” The prince added: “I regret for the royal renown, I regret for the royalist parties also, and, in particular, I regret for our nation because people can see that (here,) the royals are fighting each others. Princess Arunrasmy is the daughter of King-Father, and Prince Ranariddh is also King-Father’s son. But at the end, the two siblings are fighting each others, this makes others believe that the Cambodian royals are (only good at) fighting each others. For myself, I am very ashamed for our nation.”

Hero-King: Hun Sen will win the 2008 election; Arunrasmy and her husband has no intention of seriously competing against Hun Sen

Hero-King: In Cambodia, people like to joke around the premiership candidacy

Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea Newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Hero-King Norodom Sihanouk said on 06 November that in Cambodia, people like to consider the premiership game as a joke, even though they know that Samdach Prime minister Hun Sen will win the 2008 election.

In an annotated comment to a French article published by Cambodge Soir on 06 November, King-Father said that Princess Arunrasmy and Keo Puth Reasmey, her husband who is also the current Funcinpec party president, have no intention of competing against Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen who will win the upcoming 2008 election. The 86-year-old monarch added that, however, in Cambodia currently, people are happy to act as if they want to become the prime minister.

Based on the Hero-King’s comment, one can understand that the former monarch believes that Keo Puth Reasmey and his wife, Princess Arunrasmy, are people who hasve no inclination in opposing Hun Sen. King-Father also commented that he gave the entire Funcinpec party to Prince Ranariddh in 1991.

King-Father gave out these comments at a time when the Funcinpec party permanent committee plans to meet on Thursday. The agenda of the meeting will include the reflection on the discipline to impose on Prince Sisowath Thomico who criticized Funcinpec. Nouv Sovathero, the secretary of state at the Ministry of Information and F’pec spokesman, said that the party permanent committee includes 13 members, and it plans to meet on Thursday. The committee could review the discipline imposed on Prince Thomico. However, this issue is not clear yet.

According to Nouv Sovathero, Prince Thomico could face three types of discipline based on the review of his mistake. The lowest discipline could be a verbal and written warning. The second level of discipline would be imposed if the prince does not back down, and he could face being kicked out from the party temporarily. The most severe discipline could be his permanent dismissal from the party.

Prince Thomico, on his side, said that he did not commit any serious mistake, and whatever he said were reported in the newspapers or were raised by the civil society already. He said also that he only asks the party not to discipline King-Father who, in the past, criticized the Funcinpec party leadership.

When asked about King-Father’s comments, Nouv Sovathero said these are merely King-Father’s annotations reminiscing on the information published in his BMD information bulletin No. 24, dated 30 October only. The (F’pec) party president (Keo Puth Reasmey) knew that King-Father does not want to leave anything vague. This issue ended long ago, therefore there is no negative impact on the Funcinpec party at all.

Rumor Mills: Prince Chakrapong fought with Arunrasmy in front of King-Father at the palace

From left to right: Princess Arunrasmy, King-Father, and Prince Chakrapong

Tuesday, November 06, 2007
By Savery Sralanh Khmer newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Prince Norodom Chakrapong and Princess Norodom Arunrasmy allegedly fought each other hard in front of King-Father at the royal palace. This fight allegedly took place a few days before King-Father’s birthday, and it made King-Father very angry and he cancelled the plan for a banquet to be held for royal family members during his birthday.

A source close to the royal palace cabinet indicated that on 29 October, Prince Arunrasmy and Prince Chakrapong, both children of King-Father from different mothers, visited King-Father at the royal palace before the celebration of King-Father’s 85th to 86th birthday. The source indicated that King-Father planned to organize a reception of the royal family members, in particular with his children, on 31 October 2007.

However, an official from the royal palace told Sralanh Khmer (SK) yesterday that Prince Chakrapong allegedly scolded Princess Arunrasmy who accepted the Funcinpec premiership candidacy, and then the fight ensued. The source indicated that King-Father was angry at both of his children on the day before his birthday. His children should have brought him good news, and they should not fight each other at the palace during this occasion. King-Father allegedly kicked out both of his children during that occasion.

A member of the royal family who was not present during the fight between Princess Arunrasmy and Prince Chakrapong, expressed his view to SK that it could be that Prince Chakrapong was angry that his sister accepted the Fucinpec premiership candidate, because this position was set up by Lu Lay Sreng, F’pec vice-president No. 1, and Nhiek Bun Chhay, F’pec secretary-general. The same royal family member indicated also that Nhiek Bun Chhay and Lu Lay Sreng are leading Funcinpec by turning it into a satellite party of Hun Sen, therefore the pair nominated Princess Arunrasmy to the premiership candidate while knowing beforehand that she will lose, and doesn’t this make her a puppet of a puppet?

The same royal family member added that if Prince Chakrapong criticized Princess Arunrasmy as a puppet of Hun Sen from the CPP party, this situation is no different from when Prince Chakrapong himself led a group of Funcinpec soldiers to surrender to the CPP before the 1993 UNTAC election, and then the prince led a secession troop in the region east of the Mekong River to oppose the election victory of the Funcinpec party during that time.

Another royal family member indicated that, lately, overseas Cambodians asked King-Father Norodom Sihanouk to clarify in front of the KR Tribunal. This request was met with King-Father’s displeasure, and the majority of King-Father’s followers also vent their anger against the person who made the request. Therefore, during King-Father’s birthday celebration, royal family members should bring in good news to King-Father in order to please him, they should not fight in front of him and made him cancel the planned banquet.

The source close to the royal palace cabinet indicated that the fight started with the criticisms leveled by Prince Chakrapong against Princess Arunrasmy who earlier accepted to become F’pec premiership candidate.

Last week, Prince Thomico criticized Nhiek Bun Chhay and Lu Lay Sreng, calling them traitors to the monarchy and to Sihanoukism. The prince also accused Princess Arunrasmy for accepting the premiership candidacy which was an idea brought forth by Nhiek Bun Chhay and Lu Lay Sreng, rather than an idea proposed by F’pec party members from all overt the country during the party congress, held on 18 October 2007.

Prince Thomico added that Princess Arunrasmy’s acceptance led to the fight between her and Prince Ranariddh, both of whom are King-Father’s children.

Lu Lay Sreng told a local radio station, on Saturday, that Prince Thomico should resign from F’pec so that he wouldn’t lose face, because ultimately, he will be kicked out the party anyway, therefore the prince should immediately resign from F’pec. However, Prince Thomico said that he will not resign from F’pec, and he believes that the party leadership will not kick him out just because he simply expressed his opinion.

Nhiek Bun Chhay declared to the same local radio station that Prince Thomico is a wandering politician, and by habit, he usually criticizes the party’s internal affairs and the royal family members. Nhiek Bun Chhay said that during the struggle (against the invading Vietnamese troops) along the border, when he visited the troops, Prince Thomico only criticized and attacked Prince Ranariddh, the Funcinpec army commander-in-chief.

However, Prince Thomico used to tell SK that he joined F’pec at the border even before Prince Ranariddh did, however, he resigned because he didn’t want to fight with Prince Ranariddh.

Lately, royal family members are fighting each others like copiously, and their disputes make the public very fed up. Some royal family members not only fought for power, they also fought each others in front of King-Father, just like what Prince Chakapong and Princess Arunrasmy allegedly did.

Political Cartoon: Royal Family's Party

Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Thomico: “I did not topple Prince Ranariddh to take over the F’pec party presidence, in order to provide the opportunity to my wife ..."

Thomico continues his “ayay”; F’pec considers him a horseshoe crab politician

Monday, November 05, 2007
Koh Santepheap Newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On 03 November 2007, Prince Thomico issued a statement claiming that it is his response to the Funcinpec spokesman and leadership by saying: “I believe that the royalist force is the most important force for the preservation of peace and stability for all of us.” This is why the prince rejected the path set by the F’pec leadership which wants to lead the party into the future, especially for the upcoming 2008 general election, and the prince considers that “this path will destroy the royalist force.”

Prince Thomico does not see that he committed any error for F’pec to kick him out of the party, or pushing him to resign from F’pec at all. The prince added: “to the contrary, I claimed that the action of opposing one of King-Father’s sons against one of King-Father’s daughters constitutes a breakup of the royal family and of the royalists,” on this issue, Lu Lay Sreng, F’pec No. 1 vice-president, confessed that this was his strategy.

The prince added Lu Lay Sreng recognized that he was the one who invited Princess Arunrasmy in, in order to make the royals cuss at each other. Furthermore, the prince said that he did not accuse any individual at all, in spite of the fact that, on 01 November, he criticized both Lu Lay Sreng and Nhiek Bun Chhay of being incompetent.

The prince’s statement indicated also that it was the F’pec leadership which slandered him by claiming that he wanted to reap benefits. The prince added: “I am reminding that, to the opposite of Mr. Lu Lay Sreng, I never prostrated in front of Prince Ranariddh to ask for a position at all.”

Prince Thomico indicated also that it was when Prince Ranariddh was F’pec president, that he nominated Keo Puth Rasmey as Cambodia’s ambassador to Germany, and his wife (Princess Arunrasmy) as ambassador to Malaysia. Prince Thomico claimed: “I did not topple Prince Ranariddh to take over the F’pec party presidence, in order to provide the opportunity to my wife to become the party’s premiership candidate.”

The prince accused the F’pec leadership of falsifying F’pec history by claiming that the party was not formed by the hands of the Hero-King himself. This claim is contrary to what the society has recognized, and if the party leadership has to falsify the party history, what is there for the public to trust in the claim that “F’pec can preserve the heritage of the Hero-King, and it can preserve the Cambodian national identity” any more?

Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, when reached by phone on 04 November 2007, declined to comment on the prince’s statement. However he said: “I don’t want to reply to him, it’s always the same story.” Nov Sovathero added: “He is already a horseshoe crab politician.”
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KI-Media notes:
1- Ayay: Ditty Cambodian folk songs.
2- Comparing someone to a horseshoe crab (Prolaing Kas) is a very serious insult, as this term refers to a man who is very jealous of his wife and would follow her constantly.

Royalists out of touch with voters, say analysts [-The public secret is out now even though Prince Sirirath still denies it]

By Vong Sokheng
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 22, November 2 - 15, 2007

As leaders of Funcinpec and the Norodom Ranariddh Party continued to trade insults last week, political analysts said the fight does not bode well for the July 2008 national elections.

Local election-monitoring NGOs told the Post that the royalist vote will either be split between the two parties or their supporters won't bother to vote at all.

Koul Panha, executive director of Comfrel, said the two parties' infighting over personal issues has nothing to do with what voters care about, and will harm both parties.

"I think that members of the royal families within NRP and Funcinpec have expressed their personal anger to the public, which is a bad message for their voters in the upcoming national elections," Panha said. "Funcinpec won the UNTAC-sponsored election in 1993 because of its struggle to fight for sovereignty and territorial integrity and to fight against illegal immigration and corruption."

Panha said that Cambodian people now have a more sophisticated understanding about what the country needs, and they won't vote for a political party unless they believe it can improve society.

"There is no law to prohibit members of the royalist families from political affairs, but the division within royal families has left the royalist political parties at more risk in the upcoming national elections," Panha said, adding that if party leaders allow their political image to decline, they'll have to get out of politics.

Pahna made his comments in reaction to Prince Norodom Ranariddh's public remarks regarding nepotism inside Funcinpec and his younger sister Princess Arun Rasmey, who is the Funcinpec candidate for prime minister in the upcoming elections.

Ranariddh, the president of NRP, blasted his 52-year-old sister Arun Rasmey in remarks made by phone from Mayalsia to supporters in Prey Veng province on October 18.

Muth Chantha, spokesman of the NRP, said the prince was just trying to explain the differences between Funcinpec and NRP.

"The prince's message just explained to his supporters about the family leadership and nepotism within Funcinpec. It was not defamation," Chantha said.

He said that the prince recounted how Arun Rasmey is Funcinpec's candidate for prime minister; her husband Keo Puthrasmey is the president of Funcinpec; and Prince Sisowath Sirirath is second deputy president of Funcinpec and also is the former husband of Arun Rasmey.

Sirirath told the Post that Ranariddh's comments demonstrate his attitude towards Khmer women.

"Ranariddh does not have a good heart. He is jealous of his younger sister in a leadership role of Funcinpec," Sirirath said.

Sirirath said that there is no division among the royalists because all the royalists who hold government positions are in Funcinpec, not NRP.

Funcinpec ousted Ranariddh from the party last October.

An official of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Election in Cambodia also said both parties are in trouble.

"The result of [commune] elections indicates that the royalist political party is weaker," said Puthea Hang, executive director of NICFEC. "The monarchists are losing confidence with their leaderships."

Royal soap opera: The reluctant PM candidate and her critical half-brother

Ranariddh criticises Princess Rasmey's candidature

2007/10/23

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh has made critical remarks over Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey’s appointment by the FUNCINPEC Party as its prime ministerial candidate for the 2008 general election.

Prince Ranariddh said the Princess is not competent enough to compete with the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) during the election.

Meanwhile, Princess Rasmey said she was not eager for the post, but it was the FUNCINPEC Party’s national advisory council that had made the decision.

Princess Rasmey added that if her party wins in the general election, she will closely cooperate with the CPP in national leadership.

Funcinpec condemns Ranariddh for scorning his half-sister Arunrasmy

Keo Puth Reasmey (L) and Sisowath Sirirath (R), the current and former husbands of Princess Arunrasmy, respectively

22 October 2007
Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On 20 October, high-ranking Funcinpec officials and the Funcinpec women movement have reacted vehemently against the declaration made by Prince Norodom Ranariddh. The two Funcinpec groups believe that the prince was scorning Princess Norodom Arunrasmy, Funcinpec PM candidate, and Cambodian women in general.

Serey Kosal, Funcinpec party advisor, said, in the afternoon of 20 October, that Funcinpec women movement issued a strong statement reacting against the Prince Ranariddh’s declaration made in the afternoon of 19 October, saying that the prince’s declaration is a rude cussing and scorn, without morality and truthfulness, against Prince Arunrasmy and against Cambodian women in general. Serey Kosal indicated that the Funcinpec’s statement will be sent to NGOs, civil society, the royal palace, and various embassies.

The Funcinpec women movement said in its statement that it deeply regrets and condemns Prince Ranariddh and a small group of his party officials working under him who verbally attacked without morality and truthfulness, and who affected the honor of Princess Arunrasmy, the prince’s own (half) sister, as well as the honor of Cambodian women in general who are valued by the Constitution.

On 18 October, Princess Arunrasmy was selected by Funcinpec congress as its PM candidate to compete in the upcoming 27 July 2008 general election. Funcinpec considers the princess’ candidate as a promotion of women in society, an action which never existed in the past.

Funcinpec’s statement added that Funcinpec women movement considers the action and the attitude of Prince Ranariddh as being immoral and unfair, and that he is scorning Cambodian women in public by phone from overseas, through a radio broadcast on Beehive radio station on 19 October 2007. (The prince’s action) cannot be accepted by all of us, party leaders, and party members who are Funcinpec party women, as well as, Khmer women in society, in particular, from Samdech Krom Preah who used to be the president of the legislative branch of the nation, and who holds a Ph.D. in law. How can he discriminate and scorn a woman by considering Cambodian women as being not even fit for the kitchen, and by considering women as objects of pleasure for men?

On 19 October, Prince Ranariddh spoke by phone to his supporters in Prey Veng province by putting down Prince Arunrasmy, and by revealing the princess’ personal life as being the former wife of Prince Sisowath Sirirath (Funcinpec No. 2 vice-president), before becoming the wife of Keo Puth Reasmey, the current Funcinpec party president. Prince Ranariddh also criticized Prince Arunrasmy of being a woman, and as such, she will not have the necessary ability to lead the country.

Prince Ranariddh’s declaration not only received the reaction from Funcinpec women movement, it was also met with anger by Prince Sisowath Sirirath who organized a press conference in the afternoon of 20 October to respond back to Prince Ranariddh.

Prince Sirirath said that in the past, he was lazy to reply back to Prince Ranaiddh, but on 19 October, in his phone speech to people from Prey Veng province, Prince Ranariddh did not use proper language. Prince Sirirath said: “I listened with regret because Samdech Krom Preah (Ranariddh) lacks moral.” Prince Sirirath said that Prince Ranariddh interfered in the personal life of Princess Arunrasmy and Keo Puth Reasmey, and Prince Ranariddh used improper words causing the loss of moral and honor (by Princess Arunrasmy).

However, Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said in the afternoon of Saturday 20 October, that: “Prince Ranariddh did not want to put down the princess. Nonetheless, this issue cannot be lied to the people, we must let the people know. Prince Ranariddh only said that Keo Puth Reasmey, Funcinpec president, is the second husband (of the princess), and Prince Sisowath Sirirath was the first husband of Princess Arunrasmy. Prince Ranariddh only wanted to let the people know that the Funcinpec leaders do not look right.”