When the going gets tough, the tough get going ... to Malaysia

Ouk Phalla and Prince Norodom Ranariddh

Krom Preah [Norodom Ranariddh] left for Malaysia to meet Mrs. Phalla and sons

08 March 2006
Kampuchea Thmey newspaper
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media

• Funcinpec MPs are sending a petition asking Krom Preah to remain as President of the National Assembly.
• CPP source says that this issue cannot go back.

Phnom Penh – Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh, Funcinpec president, had left on 07 March to Malaysia where a reliable source said that Mrs. [Ouk] Phalla and her sons are staying. On that same day, Funcinpec Members of Parliament had prepared a petition begging the Prince to remain as president of the National Assembly.

A reliable source told Kampuchea Thmey that the Prince left for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Malaysia Airline flight MH755. The plane left with the passengers including Samdech Krom Preah from the Phnom Penh international airport at 12:10 PM on 07 March.

Another reliable source revealed that on that same day, Mrs. Phalla and her sons are staying in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Prince overseas trip was for visiting Mrs. Phalla and her sons.

The timing of the visit [by the Prince] to Mrs. Phalla and sons occurs when a number of high ranking Funcinpec officials are claiming that they are preparing a petition begging the Prince to remain as the president of the National Assembly. However, Monh Saphan, a Funcinpec MP, declined to discuss private matters of the Prince.

Monh Saphan, head of the Interior, Defense, and [Corruption] Cleanup committee [of the National Assembly] said on 07 March he and others have prepared a petition in the name of Funcinpec MPs because they are very disturbed by the news of the resignation of the Prince from his position as president of the National Assembly. He added: “We are begging for the Prince to remain as president of the National Assembly in order to lead this legislative institution towards democracy.”

The petition was prepared with the agreement of the 26 Funcinpec MPs. However, Monh Saphan said that some MP are busy, therefore, the petition sent to the Prince on the evening of 06 March bears only 12 to 13 signatures.

Khieu Kanharith, minister of Information and CPP party spokesman, told Kampuchea Thmey on the evening of 07 March that he has no comment on this petition.

He stressed that the CPP leadership is busy with the reception of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam delegation.

According to another CPP party official, the Prince decided to resign on his own. This serious case involves the interest of the country, and it is not a joking matter.

Samdech Krom Preah resigned as president of the National Assembly on 03 March, he complained that in his position as president of the National Assembly, he has no time to meet with his constituents. Following this resignation prime minister Hun Sen asked Heng Samrin, the first vice-president of the National Assembly, to present his candidacy to the presidency of the National Assembly, similarly, Nguon Nhel was also asked to present his candidacy for the first vice-presidency.