The turncoat Sralanh Khmer turns to criticize the SRP

Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Following a short publication lapse, the Sralanh Khmer newspaper which used to support the opposition SRP party and used to attack the CPP, has now turned itself around and is starting its attack on the SRP instead. In its Monday’s edition, the newly bought out pro-CPP newspaper not only attacked the SRP, it also attacked the HRP and the NRP as well, while praising the CPP. Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said that he is disappointed with this newspaper which used to criticize corruption and the ruling party, but is now turning into a newspaper which no longer criticizes corruption. Thach Ket, who was a member of the SRP steering committee, recently defected to join the CPP. This is the reason why this turncoat newspaper made a full 180-degree turn and now supports the ruling party instead. The Cambodia Daily reported that Thach Ket who defected to the CPP was rewarded with a position of government advisor, just like the other defectors before him.

Khmer Poem: Thach Keth Salanh Yuon

Poem by Yim Guechse (on the web at http://www.kamnapyimguechse.blogspot.com)
and Sam Vichea (on the web at http://www.kamnapkumnou.blogspot.com)
Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

Political Cartoon: The Politik of 180 degree turn

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

To serve the CPP ... Thach Ket's new mission with the re-incarnated Salanh Xmer

Sralanh Khmer owner defected from the SRP

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The owner of the Sralanh Khmer newspaper which used to support the SRP, declared that he is walking out of the party to join the CPP. Thach Ket told local news media on Monday that he resigned from the SRP on 13 March 2008. He said that there was no major issue with his defection, but that he planned to do so long ago. At the end, because there were some defections which took place, he then decided to walk out. Thach Ket was a former member of the SRP steering committee. The Kampuchea Thmei reported that for his defection from the SRP, Hun Sen rewarded him with the position of government advisor with a rank equivalent to that of state secretary. Thach Ket said that his newspaper will restart its publication next week, but that it will take a 180-degree turn as it will become a pro-CPP mouthpiece instead. The Sralanh Khmer newspaper used to be a popular opposition newspaper among those who oppose the government.

Political Cartoon: Salanh Xhmer newspaper

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

Sralanh Khmer turns into Sralanh CPP; Editor in chief leaves the new pro-CPP newspaper

Opposition Paper Publisher Moves to CPP

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
17 March 2008

The publisher of an opposition-aligned newspaper has joined ranks with a growing number of people moving to the ruling Cambodian People's Party ahead of national elections in July.

Thach Keth, publisher of the Sam Rainsy Party-affiliated Sralanh Khmer, or Love Khmer, newspaper, said Monday he was throwing his support behind the ruling party.

Thach Keth confirmed Monday he joined the CPP March 13, the day after he resigned from the Sam Rainsy Party.

He would spend his own "pocket money" to publish the newspaper "to serve the CPP," he said.

Boay Roeuy, editor in chief of the paper, said he would leave it, even though Thach Keth had asked him to stay. He said he was disappointed this happened at a time when the newspaper market is growing.

Kong Koam, vice president of the Sam Rainsy Party, said Monday he was not worried about the move. The newspaper would be known as a CPP paper, he said, and would not affect the popularity of the opposition.

The paper was less popular among SRP supporters than Moneaksekar Khmer, or Khmer Conscience, he said.

In another defection Monday, the vice president of the Ratanakkiri branch of the opposition party, Phal Tha, also moved to CPP. He arrived in Phnom Penh Monday to resign from the opposition and join the Cambodian People's Party.