22 February 2008By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
The political defection affair never ceases to end the tension between the CPP and its opponents. The latest dispute: a letter sent by SRP MP Son Chhay complaining about the practice used by Hun Sen, followed by a sharp reply from the latter.
“I need competent people to work. I promoted those who join our party. The more you criticize (me), the more you want me stop this practice, and the more I will persist in this direction. It’s my right as prime minister.” Hun Sen just replied very firmly to his detractors, and most of all to Son Chhay, the SRP MP who criticized him for offering several advisor positions to SRP defectors. This position has the prerogative and the rank equivalent to that of a secretary of state, or even that of a minister.
Hun Sen’s assertion was made on Thursday 21 February, during his travel to Kandal province to inaugurate a construction site for bridges and pagodas. In a letter dated 20 February, Son Chhay officially requested Hun Sen to put an end to these nominations.
Son Chhay wrote: “In this third mandate, these promotions are very numerous. They involve businessmen, government officials and defectors from other parties who join the CPP.”
Son Chhay explained that several ministers had “complained” about the appearance of these advisors. According to these ministers, these advisors turn the decision making process more difficult in some cases. Son Chhay also indicated in his letter that the authorities noted that these advisors are using their position to commit illegal activities. Beside these arguments, it seems that the only goal of Son Chhay’s letter was to put to an end to the nomination of defectors from his party, who left to grab advisor positions.
The SRP-CPP war regarding the defectors is far from over, especially since Son Chhay asked that Hun Sen’s list of advisors be made publicly available to the National Assembly. It is most likely that the Hun Sen would not follow suit to Son Chhay’s request.
“I need competent people to work. I promoted those who join our party. The more you criticize (me), the more you want me stop this practice, and the more I will persist in this direction. It’s my right as prime minister.” Hun Sen just replied very firmly to his detractors, and most of all to Son Chhay, the SRP MP who criticized him for offering several advisor positions to SRP defectors. This position has the prerogative and the rank equivalent to that of a secretary of state, or even that of a minister.
Hun Sen’s assertion was made on Thursday 21 February, during his travel to Kandal province to inaugurate a construction site for bridges and pagodas. In a letter dated 20 February, Son Chhay officially requested Hun Sen to put an end to these nominations.
Son Chhay wrote: “In this third mandate, these promotions are very numerous. They involve businessmen, government officials and defectors from other parties who join the CPP.”
Son Chhay explained that several ministers had “complained” about the appearance of these advisors. According to these ministers, these advisors turn the decision making process more difficult in some cases. Son Chhay also indicated in his letter that the authorities noted that these advisors are using their position to commit illegal activities. Beside these arguments, it seems that the only goal of Son Chhay’s letter was to put to an end to the nomination of defectors from his party, who left to grab advisor positions.
The SRP-CPP war regarding the defectors is far from over, especially since Son Chhay asked that Hun Sen’s list of advisors be made publicly available to the National Assembly. It is most likely that the Hun Sen would not follow suit to Son Chhay’s request.
