Cambodian opposition party leader Sam Rainsy (L). (Photo REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea)Wednesday, March 8, 2006
BY YUN SAMEAN
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The Sam Rainsy Party has postponed its annual congress from this month until September so that the party can complete internal reforms, opposition leader Sam Rainsy said Tuesday.
Sam Rainsy said the opposition wants to elect village representatives and then party officials at the commune, district, province and national levels before the congress is held.
"The board of directors of the Sam Rainsy Party decided [on Monday] that we would postpone the March congress until the party reform process is finished," he said.
"All party members must be elected by supporters, starting with the village chiefs," he added.
However, former opposition lawmaker Khem Veasna, who was expelled from the party last year after he criticized royalty, said he doubted the party can reform.
"The party belongs to Sam Rainsy and [lawmaker] Eng Chhay Eang," he said, alleging that Eng Chhay Eang had given his relatives senior positions in the party. "The party's reform cannot succeed unless the board of directors of the party is replaced," Khem Veasna added.
Eng Chhay Eang responded that it benefits the party if members recruit their relatives, as the opposition needs more people.
Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu San also said he doubted the reforms would succeed. He also said that Sam Rainsy had damaged his credibility by reconciling with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said the party is now considering asking for a third vice-president position at the National Assembly.
Funcinpec lawmaker Monh Saphan said the Assembly ought to create more commissions for opposition lawmakers to join, rather than letting the party take such a high position.
Sam Rainsy said the opposition wants to elect village representatives and then party officials at the commune, district, province and national levels before the congress is held.
"The board of directors of the Sam Rainsy Party decided [on Monday] that we would postpone the March congress until the party reform process is finished," he said.
"All party members must be elected by supporters, starting with the village chiefs," he added.
However, former opposition lawmaker Khem Veasna, who was expelled from the party last year after he criticized royalty, said he doubted the party can reform.
"The party belongs to Sam Rainsy and [lawmaker] Eng Chhay Eang," he said, alleging that Eng Chhay Eang had given his relatives senior positions in the party. "The party's reform cannot succeed unless the board of directors of the party is replaced," Khem Veasna added.
Eng Chhay Eang responded that it benefits the party if members recruit their relatives, as the opposition needs more people.
Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu San also said he doubted the reforms would succeed. He also said that Sam Rainsy had damaged his credibility by reconciling with Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said the party is now considering asking for a third vice-president position at the National Assembly.
Funcinpec lawmaker Monh Saphan said the Assembly ought to create more commissions for opposition lawmakers to join, rather than letting the party take such a high position.
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