Suth Dina's hit-and-run and his subsequent release by police attest to the lawlessness and impunity under Hun Xen's regime

Suth Dina (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)
Suth Dina's dented Lexus following his arrest after his attempt to flee the accident scene (Photo: Koh Santepheap)

Suth Dina’s hit-and-run attempt but was arrested 3 km from the accident location

Who is Suth Dina?
Suth Dina, one of the so-called chameleon politician, was successively: a former anti-government student activist, a former anti-Vietnamese activist and a former spokesman for the defunct Norodom Ranaridhh Party, before he defected to the Vietnamese-installed Cambodian People's Party after the 2008 election. He now serves as Undersecretary of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - With partial information provided at Khmerization

09 May 2010
By Koh Ekareach
Koh Santepheap
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Battambang province – During an accident that was caused by a car belonging to one of the government Excellencies, there was strong reaction from the victim’s family against the Thmor Kol district cops who released the car and the driver without informing the victim’s family first, in spite of the injury sustained by the victim and the hit-and-run attempt made by the Excellency who drove the car. In fact, the Excellency was arrested earlier by a cop barrage when he sped off with a flat tire Lexus.

The accident took place at the round-about in the middle of Thmor Kol city, along National Road No. 5, at 5PM on 08 May. A police source indicated that the car causing the accident was a gray color Lexus SUV, bearing the license plate 2L1998, driven by a man named Suth Dina. The SUV was traveling from Banteay Meanchey province to Phnom Penh, and the victim’s name is Pech Leang Hot, an 18-year-old student living in Poy Yang village, Ta Poung commune, Thmor Kol district.

The victim was driving his Viva motorcycle from his home to attend an English language class when he was hit from the front by the SUV moving in the opposite direction. Witnesses to the accident said that Suth Dina’s SUV steered and hit the victim on its right. The SUV had a flat tire and it sped off to run away, but several motodoops (motorbike-taxis) chased it until it was stopped by a police barrage at Poy Yang village, Ta Poung commune. The witnesses said that a few hours after the SUV driver was arrested and his car was taken to the police station, both were released after receiving heavy interventions [from higher-ups] to help Suth Dina. However, Hang Sopheap, the deputy police commissioner of Thmor Kol district, told Koh Santepheap following the accident that: “We only released the car owner, but we kept the vehicle at the police station to resolve the issue with the victim’s side.”

Contrary to Phang Sopheap’s claim, observers of the accident reported from the police station that there was no confiscation of the SUV involved in the accident. In fact, both the driver and the SUV were released at 8PM on that same day, i.e. about 3 hours after the accident. Nevertheless, on 09 May, Koh Santepheap’s reporter met to interview Bou Saran, the victim’s father, at the Visal Sok hospital in Battambang city. Bou Saran said that his family was not informed about the release of the vehicle involved in the accident. Right now his son is under surgery at the hospital because one of his bones was smashed, and he will contact the cops to ask about this release after his son will feel better in order to obtain compensation for the loss of the motorcycle and the hospital fees.

Phang Sopheap, the deputy police commissioner involved in this case, claimed that Suth Dina will show up for the resolution of the payment claim made by the victim at a later date because the victim appears to sustain light injuries only. The action by the Thmor Kol district to release the culprit came under serious criticisms from the people who witnessed the accident. They said that because the driver in this case is a high-ranking and powerful [CPP] government official, if he were to be an ordinary citizen, he would be placed in the police cage right there in the middle of the night. Nevertheless, based on Hun Xen’s advice, he declared on many occasions that those who intervene in cases like this should stop doing that and they should stop perpetuating this intervention culture. They should let the authority or the court take care of the problem according to the law. As for the case involving His Excellency Suth Dina, it came under even more serious criticisms because he is a powerful and high-ranking government official, but when he is involved in an accident he ended up fleeing the scene as if he never understood anything about the law.

NRP generation war

12 Feb 2009
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

The two warring clans within this royalist party claimed to have found a negotiated solution to their crisis, on the other hand, they are increasing their exchange of barbs on one another.

For the last three weeks, the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) is split into two clans: the one led by Chhim Seak Leng, the party standing president, and the one led Suth Dina, the former deputy secretary-general of the NRP and the representative of the youths from the Khmer Front Party, which was the political party that formed the basis of the NRP.

The two camps tried to find a solution to their dispute. “Activists from our camp wish to see unity and we wish to put an end to the conflict,” Kim Sok, spokesman of the Suth Dina clan, indicated. “We, the party youths, want to reach a peaceful solution for the common interest (of both parties).”

Nevertheless, Kim Sok took opportunity of the occasion to criticize the attitude adopted by the “aging” party leaders who belong to the Chhim Seak Leng clan. He let it understood that the opposing camp, which includes You Hockry, consist of people who are “not very honest.”

“We will not let party members be removed without reason. We defend all the activists, not just Meas Sokun, the NRP representative in Banteay Meanchey who was expelled from the party at the end of January,” Kim Sok added.

According to communiqué distributed on Thursday 12 Feb by the Suth Dina clan, the internal conflict does not reflect the royalist party’s struggle for influence, “It is a conflict between a small group and a majority that fights for justice,” the communiqué read.

You Hockry, the NRP secretary-general, could not be reached by Cambodge Soir Hebdo on Thursday 12 Jan.

Sar Kheng, the (CPP) minister of Interior, told Em Sitha, a representative of the party youth movement, on that same day that his ministry would not allow the NRP to hold a congress on 15 Feb. Suth Dina whished to organize this congress to change the NRP party name, as Prince Ranariddh already left the party to work at the royal palace.

Sar Kheng indicated that only Chhim Seak Leng is authorized to call for a party congress.

NRP rift deepens, faction seeks to oust lawmakers [-NRP is still in disarray]

NRP acting president Chhim Seak Leng shown here in a file photo. (Photo by: HENG CHIVOAN)

Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Written by Neth Pheaktra
The Phnom Penh Post

Pre-empting his election as president of the NRP, Suth Dina makes public moves to oust You Hockry and Sao Rany

THE rift between the two factions of the beleagured Norodom Ranariddh Party deepened Monday, with one faction announcing an extraordinary congress to be held mid-February to elect a new president and change the name of the party to the Khmer National Front, officials said Monday.

"We are changing the name following the request of Prince Norodom Ranariddh not to use his photo and his name for the party. After the congress, we will send a list of candidates who will replace You Hockry and Sao Rany," Suth Dina, former spokesman of NRP, told the Post.

"We have already informed the National Election Committee and National Assembly about the end of You Hockry and Sao Rany as representatives," he said.

But You Hockry, secretary general of NRP, said that Suth Dina did not have the authority to end his time as a lawmaker.

"Who is the president of the party? It is Chhim Seak Leng. The Ministry of Interior recognises his legislation, and he is the legal representative of the NRP after Norodom Ranariddh resigned," he said.

"I have been informed that a group [led by Suth Dina] will organise a congress to chase us out of the party. But it will be illegal because only Chhim Seak Leng is the legal president.... I will send a letter to the Ministry of Interior to take measures against these illegal activities," he added.

Tep Nytha, NEC secretary general, said the commission was currently studying the legality of a letter requesting the removal of You Hockry and Sao Rany as lawmakers.

"According to the Ministry of Interior, only Chhim Seak Leng has the legal right to sign any document on behalf of the NRP. I have not received any changes from the Ministry of Interior," he said.

Disruptions within the Norodom Ranariddh Party: the party gives its explanations

02-02-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set in English

On the occasion of the signature on Monday February 2nd of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FUNCINPEC and the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) in Phnom Penh, NRP leaders went back over the tensions currently shaking the party's ranks. On Friday January 30th, members of the Khmer National Front party (KNF), which has been incorporated within the NRP, came to demonstrate outside the NRP headquarters and caused damage, as a sign of protest against the firing of one of their members, Mrs Meas Sokun. Other dismissals concerning KNF members came about in the meantime. Here are the explanations given by the NRP and Prince Ranariddh.

Reasons for the firing of Mrs Meas Sokun

NRP secretary-general You Hokry sees in this situation the result of a “personal conflict within the party”. During a meeting of the Governing Council meant to resolve internal issues, he explains, “some mentioned the case of Mrs. Meas Sokun, whose husband burst into our party headquarters carrying a fire weapon with him, with the intention of threatening a person who was in an open conflict with his wife”. He adds that this misconduct cannot be tolerated, and “this is why the Governing Council asked our member to explain her husband's attitude”.

This incident, You Hokry continues, was followed by another: Mrs Meas Sokun, a member of the NRP Steering Committee, allegedly spoke to Prince Ranariddh with disdain. “Even though the Prince has left the party, it continues to bear his name and still displays a portrait of him. We asked Mrs Meas Sokun to write an apology letter for Samdech Krompreah. We gave her some time but never saw any such letter! We gathered she does not support the NRP. In any event, two thirds of Governing Council members decided on her dismissal from the party. The decision was made on January 24th but because of the Chinese new year, we preferred to only make it public on January 30th.”

The NRP wants to files several complaints against KFP members

After reminding that the Khmer National Front party had been disbanded after the holding of a Congress at the NRP, the NRP secretary-general said: “Looking at the NRP and at the KNF, which one is legal? Our own party is registered at the Ministry of Interior and we have already taken part in several polls and won MP seats in the Assembly!” He then mentioned Suth Dina, official spokesman and deputy secretary-general of the NRP and a former member of the KNF who took the side of Mrs Meas Sokun. You Hokry naively asked himself: “Can a deputy secretary-general throw the secretary-general out?” Suth Dina was sacked from the party.

“We are filing a complaint with Justice against those who vandalised the NRP headquarters, with the Ministry of Defence against Mrs Meas Sokun's husband for illegally carrying a weapon, and with the Bar of Cambodia against this woman, who is herself a member of the Bar”, You Hokry announced.

Usurpation of power, according to Suth Dina

Suth Dina, reminding of his dismissal by the NRP on January 31st – the decision did not “surprise” him – also explained for his part that the Steering Committee of the former Khmer National Front party sent on February 2nd a letter to the Ministry of Interior, to the Royal Palace, to the Constitutional Council and to the government to denounce “the lack of legality in the NRP administration”. According to him, the NRP “usurped power”. “On November 16th 2006, at a Congress, the Khmer National Front party handed its power over to Prince Ranariddh, and not to its vice-president [Chhim Siek Leng] or even its secretary-general [You Hockry]!, he pointed out.

Norodom Ranariddh does not want his name to be used any more

Since he took up the new position of chair of the Supreme Council of King Sihamoni, Prince Ranariddh launched his [new website http://www.norodomranariddh.org/] and decided to take part in the debate raging on in his name. In a message dated January 31st , posted on his website and addressed “to citizens and members of the NRP”, he demands that his name and portrait stop being used in the field of politics so as to preserve the neutrality of the Royal Palace where he now works.

“Recently, incidents have tarnished my honour and my name and much criticism has arisen, accusing me of continuing to interfere in matters of the [Norodom Ranariddh] party. I asked NRP representatives to launch a procedure to remove my portrait and my name, in order to avoid criticism. But party representatives asked me to let them keep them until the elections of new councils in May.” Prince Ranariddh adds that he acceded to their request. Complaining about “unfair attacks which his name and portrait are subjected to”, he reminds at the end of his message that he “continues to serve the Nation, the Religion and the King” of Cambodia, with the new responsibilities he now holds.

Disarray deepens in NRP [-Everybody is firing everybody else]

Monday, 02 February 2009
Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

Central committee ousts 17 student group members.

TURMOIL within the Norodom Ranariddh Party reached new depths Saturday, with the party's central committee moving to oust 17 officials linked to the Democratic Front of Khmer Students and Intellectuals, former NRP spokesman Suth Dina told the Post Sunday.

The move followed an angry confrontation between Democratic Front members and NRP leaders Friday at party headquarters, a party press release said.

Suth Dina, one of the officials purged from the party, confirmed the ousters but argued the central committee had no grounds to remove the officials, as they were members responsible for creating the NRP.

"The decision was not valid. [NRP leaders] have no standing to remove officials who built the party in the first place. These [17] officials were members of the Khmer Front Party, which created the NRP for the sake of Prince Norodom Ranariddh," Suth Dina said.

He called the ousters revenge in response to efforts by the Democratic Front to remove three NRP leaders - Chhim Seak Leng, You Hockry and Sao Ranny - from power Friday.

"These leaders came to the party as assistants to Samdech Krom Preah. So, after his resignation from the party, they must go, too," Suth Dina said, referring to Prince Norodom Ranariddh.

No NRP leaders were available for comment Sunday, but a press release issued Friday stated that members of the Democratic Front "provoked turmoil" at party headquarters in Phnom Penh's Tuol Kork district.

"They destroyed NRP property and private property. Moreover, [they] erased the NRP logo and replaced it with the Khmer Front Party," the release stated.

It added: "The NRP would like to appeal to all levels of party leadership to strengthen the party's stand and not to be duped by propaganda from the Khmer Front Party."

Meanwhile, Prince Ranariddh issued a statement Saturday urging NRP leaders not to use his name or likeness for the party, despite requests to continue the connection through council elections scheduled for May.

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.

NRP concerned about increasing price of goods

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
By San Suwith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Tuesday, the NRP issued a statement indicating its concerns that the price of merchandises is increasing very sharply, and it accuses Prime minister Hun Sen of being unable to take the appropriate measure to lower the price of goods.

The statement issued by Suth Dina, the NRP deputy secretary-general, indicated that price of oil, rice, fish, meat, water, electricity, vegetables, and necessary goods is increasing on a daily basis.

The statement indicated also the price increase is tantamount to sabotage and a serious economic crime organized by a group of hateful people in order to give hardship to the poor Cambodian people.

The NRP’s statement also called on Hun Sen to urgently resolve the price increase problem.

RFA could not obtain any reaction yet from government officials about this statement.

Thomico’s monthly defection: If you can beat them, might as well join them ... so what if they serve Hun Sen?

Thomico defects to Funcinpec

Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Information indicated that Prince Thomico, whose party was recently merged with the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) one month ago, has again defected from the NRP to join Funcinpec. The Cambodia Daily quoted Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, who said on Monday that Prince Thomico and Ok Socheat, Prince Ranariddh’s advisor, had joined Funcinpec. Nouv Sovathero said it is a good outcome that Prince Thomico decided to join Funcinpec because this truly shows the loyalty of Funcinpec to the monarchy. Prince Thomico cannot be reached yet to obtain his comments, but Ok Socheat denied that he has joined Funcinpec. Suth Dina, the former secretary-general of the Sangkum Jatiniyum Front Party, said that he is very disappointed and embarrassed by Prince Thomico’s decision.

Thomico's SJFP: To join or not to join NRP, that is the question

Royalist Faction May Court Norodom Ranariddh Party

Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
24/05/2007

The Front Sangkum Jatiniyum party will hold a congress this weekend to decide whether its 5,000 members should join the Norodom Ranariddh Party, officials said Thursday.

The FSJ, headed by Prince Sisowath Thomico, has royalist leanings, and several of its members have reportedly been offered spots in the party headed by Norodom Ranariddh, a political figure living in exile after he was found guilty in absentia on charges related to embezzlement.

Prince Thomico will become NRP vice president, and South Dina could be given an undersecretary position, officials said.

South Dina said the FSJ will retain its name but will conduct political activities.

The country is headed for national elections next year—in polls that may see two competing opposition parties and two royalist parties.

Prince Ranariddh quit Funcinpec in the wake of embezzlement allegations, but started his self-named party prior to this year's commune elections.

The ruling CPP won those elections handily, and Prime Minister Hun Sen said afterward he planned to keep Funcinpec as the party's coalition party. Following that promise, he fired a Funcinpec Minister of Tourism and replaced him with a CPP member.