Monday, January 8, 2007Kem Sokha Contemplates a Political Comeback
By John Maloy and Van Roeun
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Cambodian Center for Human Rights President Kem Sokha announced Sunday that he is considering forming a new political party.
"I look at the possibility, but I have not decide[d] yet," he said.
Kem Sokha said that he has discussed the possible move with Constitutional Council member Son Soubert, political analyst Lao Mong Hay and Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando, but none of them have made firm decisions on whether to join him if he forms a new party.
Kem Sokha, a former Funcinpec senator, has long been rumored to be planning a return to politics, but had previously denied it.
On Sunday he said that one of the main reasons he was contemplating the move was a lack of democratic principle in other parties. "I think that in Cambodia now, there is no democratic party."
"Recently, whenever I go somewhere, when I join a forum, the Cambodian people request me to form a party," he added.
Before making a final decision, Kem Sokha said he needs to assess whether the public would prefer him to go into politics or remain in the NGO world.
Son Soubert said that he and Kem Sokha—both former senior members of the now-defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party—have spoken about the possibility of a party for years. But they are still far from deciding on whether to create one, he added.
Lao Mong Hay, who is working as a senior researcher for the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission, could not be reached for comment. Mam Sonando, who served jail time with Kem Sokha following Prime Minister Hun Sen's crackdown on border-treaty critics in late 2005, also could not be contacted.
SRP leader Sam Rainsy said Kem Sokha has the right to form a party, but that it would be years before it could become a major political force. "There are many steps to follow and many obstacles to overcome."
Ok Socheat, adviser to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said he opposed Kem Sokha's proposal, as the country already has enough democratic parties.
"I think that all political parties need the [CCHR]," he said. "[Kem Sokha] is a good leader for that."
Heng Samrin, National Assembly and CPP honorary president, said Kem Sokha is welcome to form a party. But he took issue with Kem Sokha's claim that existing parties are undemocratic
"The CPP does everything for democracy, to respect human rights," he said. "We are doing the work and he is only talking."
"Even his own people sued him," Heng Samrin added, referring to lawsuits filed in October by former CCHR employees, who accused Kem Sokha of corruption and defamation. Kem Sokha denies the allegations.
"I look at the possibility, but I have not decide[d] yet," he said.
Kem Sokha said that he has discussed the possible move with Constitutional Council member Son Soubert, political analyst Lao Mong Hay and Beehive Radio owner Mam Sonando, but none of them have made firm decisions on whether to join him if he forms a new party.
Kem Sokha, a former Funcinpec senator, has long been rumored to be planning a return to politics, but had previously denied it.
On Sunday he said that one of the main reasons he was contemplating the move was a lack of democratic principle in other parties. "I think that in Cambodia now, there is no democratic party."
"Recently, whenever I go somewhere, when I join a forum, the Cambodian people request me to form a party," he added.
Before making a final decision, Kem Sokha said he needs to assess whether the public would prefer him to go into politics or remain in the NGO world.
Son Soubert said that he and Kem Sokha—both former senior members of the now-defunct Buddhist Liberal Democratic Party—have spoken about the possibility of a party for years. But they are still far from deciding on whether to create one, he added.
Lao Mong Hay, who is working as a senior researcher for the Hong Kong-based Asian Human Rights Commission, could not be reached for comment. Mam Sonando, who served jail time with Kem Sokha following Prime Minister Hun Sen's crackdown on border-treaty critics in late 2005, also could not be contacted.
SRP leader Sam Rainsy said Kem Sokha has the right to form a party, but that it would be years before it could become a major political force. "There are many steps to follow and many obstacles to overcome."
Ok Socheat, adviser to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, said he opposed Kem Sokha's proposal, as the country already has enough democratic parties.
"I think that all political parties need the [CCHR]," he said. "[Kem Sokha] is a good leader for that."
Heng Samrin, National Assembly and CPP honorary president, said Kem Sokha is welcome to form a party. But he took issue with Kem Sokha's claim that existing parties are undemocratic
"The CPP does everything for democracy, to respect human rights," he said. "We are doing the work and he is only talking."
"Even his own people sued him," Heng Samrin added, referring to lawsuits filed in October by former CCHR employees, who accused Kem Sokha of corruption and defamation. Kem Sokha denies the allegations.
23 comments:
With the kind of opposition all anti-CPP forces can muster, CPP is laughing all the way to the loots.
It will run the country for a long while yet.
SiS
It is going to be a self-destruction strategy. He hardly control and manage his own organisation, let alone to criticise other. The more the so called " democratic political party" were created, the more stronger the CPP as the ballots vote for democratic political parties have more dividen.
For Sam Riansy,never abandoned attitude only me,I, mine is better and can do right thing...
For Heng Samrin,laughing at Kem Sokha allegations are not much different than denying all Heng Pov accussations.So CPP better shut up and lick its wound.
For Sihanoukists-Rannridh, democracy is ennemy of closed mind royalty and communist.
Thus CPP and Ranrridh are non democratic but purely authoritarian.
Heng Samrin said,"even Khem Sokha's own people sued him..." And so then, even Heng Peo, CPP, revealed the dirty hands of some CPP leaders. Then someone may said, "Oh because Heng Peo is a criminal and so forth..." Nobody can tell giving world-reknown history of cutting throat of Cambodian government. The bottomline, people accussed Mr. Khem Soka continue to live normal life whereas Heng Peo is in prison and among others who we don't know. That's the different.
That man is something else. He doesn't want Cambodia to be at peace or united with other Democracy Party like with The SRP. He wants power to himself. I like him, but not enough to vote for.
I think whatever our freedom lovers do, we ought to unite and work toward the commom goals. We must learn to unite; it's a must. Having many parties is not a bad thing, but each new party ought to think its effectiveness and long term survivibility. We have come of age!
I think this is typical of Cambodian. Cambodian just want others to insist, suggest, promote etc... so when things goes wrong, he can say... "see I really didn't want to do it, but they encourage me to do it". "its not my fault"! He needs to make up his mind and look inside his heart...a leader will know the answer, take risk, and not beat arount the bushes.
I would like to put these 3 comments back. I am glad that someone knows something about this two democracy leaders. I agree with the last comment. Thanks.
Anonymous said...
I can understand why Kem Sokha plans to have his own party.
1) He will run out of job soon.
2) He has hard times to talk to Rainsy. he had tried to unit with Rainsy so many times since the coup but Rainsy turned him down (only people close to Rainsy know this).
3) He knows so well how Rainsy and his wife treat people who work closely under them.
4) Now he has no choice but to form a party.
I do not support Mr. Kem for this but I cannot blame him either.
I had a dream that Sam Rainsy's party + Kem Sokha's party = 50+1 . I pray to god for my dream to come true.
3:46 PM
Anonymous said...
Sam Rainsy's family is having relationship with Sok Ann's family. They have family connection (their niece and nephew got married). What a shameful thing for Sis Rainsy to do? And about Mr. Kem Sokha's corruption case, I think you guys should ask USAID. They have said many times that they already checked and found nothing to prove that Mr. Kem Sokha has done any corruption. And to someone who thinks that he is going to run out of job, you're wrong. Only people who are close to Mr. Kem Sokha know how smart this guy is. He has many choices because he is smart enough to figure out his future and his country's future (I bet better than Sis Rainsy who is taking money from Ket Meng--a CCP guy--every month). To the person who said Mr. Kem Sokha should clear up himself, I would like to tell you that he doesn't have to clear up himself because the donor has already cleared up everything for him. I and other Cambodians would not feel shameful if a Cambodian like you could use better language and stop using the language you used (that language is only for gangsters... well, some gangsters use better language than you do).
And to the owner of KI, I know that you're Rainsy's relative. So, I wouldn't blame you for trying so hard to make Mr. Kem Sokha look bad because you know that Rainsy, your brother-in-law, is selling himself to CCP. Therefore, you have to make other people worse than your brother-in-law. I understand that.
7:24 AM
m28 said...
Hi anon. 7:24AM,
I am a fan of Cambodia for Democracy. Cambodia has been suffered for too long and it is time for Cambodian people to put aside their personal fight but to unite for the sake of the Nation. Did Rainsy work for Yuan Hanoi? No.
Did Hun Sen work for Yuan Hanoi? Yes. Did Kem Sokha work for Yuan Hanoi? No. Can Rainsy and Kem Sopha get along? NO. But can they work together for the sake of Cambodia under this such a tragedy situation? I think Yes.
BUT if these two don't then the winner will go to Yuan and Hun Sen, the puppet.
I refuse to support Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy if these two DO NOT work together for the sake of their Nation.
If thing goes wrong again, I will condemn these two for dragging Cambodia to further sufferings.
I strongly believe that Cambodian people deserve better.
me28
8:21 AM
Hi Anon. 7:24AM,
Why kill the messenger (KI-Media) when the article was written by The Cambodia Daily?
ahahahhahahahhah!
For me personally, I am a chickenhawk! I must admit that I do eat chicken! Oh God! I love chicken bake! I love chicken rotisserie! I love chicken soup! I love chicken salad! I love spicy chicken! I love chicken curry! uhhhhh!I love and love chicken! I don't know what I would do with my life without chicken!ahahahahhahhah
But this is what I know! I know that Cambodian leaders need to put everything on the table and clear all the smoke screen for all Cambodian people to understand the real issue and what are their motive! These Cambodian leaders don't need to beat around the bush and showing their butt when going to restroom!
Cambodian people have to right to hammer these Cambodian leaders for their stupidity!!!!These Cambodian leaders better come clean with no hidden agenda!!!
After all I am a chickenhawk waiting on the treetop and right now AH HUN SEN Vietcong slave is on my menu and I wonder who is next! ahahahahahhah
Please don't ask me why the chicken run across the road!!!!
I agreed with you me28 and I agreed with you 4:12am. But I did not agreed with 7:24am. I think your message divides our brothers. There is no need to trash each other. We acknowledge each other's mistake(s) and move on for the common good. We must band together. This is not about any individual's pride but it is about the future for our people and nation. Peace!!!
Mr Kem Sokha has long been rumored that he will be planning to form a Political Party.IRI and ambassy knew that.They asked Kem Sokha to hold and they set up a meeting betwen Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy to discuss some solution that those two can work together.As you know Mr Sam is a one man band,he doesn't want anyone get close to him.No one can stay longer with this party.I hope some day those two can work together when Kem Sokha get more people power on his side.KI alway attack KS because they afraid that KS get more vote than SR Party.Please wait and see.
I agree with the last comment. Why don't we start noticing KI news? Has KI ever attacked Sam Rainsy? KI attacks everyone, except SRP. Even at the time Sam Rainsy appologized to Hun Sen, KI seemed to be so quiet, but whenever there's any rumor about Mr. Kem Sokha, KI spreads the news even faster than CCP side.
By the way, anyone who does not live in Cambodia should wait and see how Cambodians who live in Cambodia will decide. I bet those who said Mr. Kem Sokha is running out of job will be surprised.
M.kem Sokha, you do the same activities like Mr.Ieng Mealy did in the 90 to start distroying the Bldp and Funcinpec(the Democrat coalition at the time).
PLEASE DON'T PLAY THE VN GAME TO ELIMINATE CAMBODIA
Here's my comment on all this:
1. Most of you are right on when saying that Sam Rainsy has some personality problem and do not want anyone to challenge his popularity. In fact, he is running his party in a way quite similar to a family corporation
2. Mr. Kem Sokha is a threat to the popularity of Sam Rainsy. It is sad that in the past, instead of focusing on building his party, he is trying so hard to destroy potential competitor. This can not be a long term approach.
3. The exclusiveness of the SRP makes it an opposition--always. SRP is fighting to the only opposition while failed to learn to be inclusive to be the ruling party. Had SRP open up a little, they will probably have a chance in 2008.
4. Due to family favoritism, it is difficult for others to join. For example, the steering committee of the SRP is a joke. They have no real power, no real duties. SRP admitted to add names to the roster as long as they give money.
5. According to SRP, they are afraid of infiltration--this lead them to have give all power (all) to the "permanent committee". Currently Sam Rainsy, his wife, Eng Chhay Eang, and the closest circle are members of this "permanent committee". One of the member is the husband of the current chief of cabinet. Eng Chhay Eang, who is current a gambling addict still (everyone in SRP knows this and I bet so do CPP) has his in law in most of the keys position. Yim Sovan and his wife are both parliamentarians and holds key position. Nuth Rumduol and his wife are the same and they are related to Eng Chhay Eang as well.
6. There are many attempts to talked to SRP. SRP is too proud to see the "clear sailing ahead" to talk to anyone else.
7. Kem Sokha going to have an up heal battle. One he will be accused to splitting "the democrats"
8. Kem Sokha going to have difficult convincing people of his agendas, his platform
-The two should meet and talk about SRP will not do so unless there are enough pressure.
-SRP needs to have the leadership and vision to try to be the ruling party for him to be able to do so.
-Also, SRP needs to fire his wife and asks his members to do the same (the wives or the husbands). There are many important positions in SRP held by a few families--no one will want to join as a stepping stone for these families to gain personal benefits.
-Eng Chhay Eang needs to be removed from any important position. He is still gambling and therefore can not be trusted. The whole SRP will be scene on how they stick to principle.
-Son Chhay who admitted to taking $10,000 without knowing it has condition attached need to resign or appologize to the publice and donate all the money to the orphanage. But knowing how much Son Chhay value money, I doubt he will do that.
;-) it is so funny to read 2:57PM said "Rainsy needs to fire his wife and his members.."
I heard from people in GA when Mrs. Saumura Tiuolong attended the wedding and she claimed that she is the ONLY ONE Khmer Woman in Cambodia who is highly EDUCATED.
;-) Don't give me wrong I am a fan of Cambodia for Democracy and I can careless who is who as long as the person/people work for the inerest of Cambodia. I just happened to have a friend who's educated in the US who has a master degree in economy and a law degree (Juris Doctor). I don't know how many more but this woman is young (new generation). Perhaps, Mrs Rainsy means she was a highly educated among the women like Hun Sen's wife, or Princess Marie etc.
I have never met Mrs. Rainsy but I heard that she is too arrogant. If I meet her I'd suggest that she needs to understand that there are always trees taller than the tress she sees. If those rumors were true I agree that she may have had inteferred the work inside SRP, and Rainsy ought to fire his wife.
Cambodia will be rapidly progress if the door opens for new generation who possessed both Intellectual Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence. If I am Cambodian I sure am qualified for the job. ;-) Eh, I don't need salary or money from Cambodia, my salary will donate to students.
I have money but I want to best for Cambodia.
Correction. The last line I meant
I want the best for Cambodia.
With Cambodian politics you ought to keep things tight and in control, in addition to building a strong educated team. However I do feel SRP should open up to other potential candidates who are truely love Cambodia. I myself have noticed his personality but he should learn from it. The cuase is much greater to change.
To me28,
It wasn't your friend that you were trying to paint the picture of but actually it was you.
Congratulation for your education accomplishment! I'm proud of you.
Definitely, Khmer need more Kaun Khmer educators like yourself and our friends here on this blogger to help solve and lead our beloved Cambodia.
There will be always different opinions, ideas, and bias; but as long as we stand together firm to work on common goals to help solve our beloved mother land, I think that would be the best that anyone can hope for.
Keep sharing!
Somlor Ma-Chou Yuon
I just love 4:12am. I'm true fan!!!!!!:)
I just love 4:12am. I'm his true fan!!!!!!:)
Hi 11:32 AM. I'm sorry that you got it all wrong. I am not an economist, but a physicist. The girl I mentionned is an economist but she went to law school with me.
I only wanted to open the eyes of Mrs. Saumura Tiuolong that she ought to respect others even they are much younger than her, because there are trees taller than the tress she sees. I do respect everyone but she/he must earn.
Hi me28,
Your honor, may it please the court.
Congratulation to you, counselor for achieving your higher learning. I am genuinely proud of your accomplishment. Please keep it going. We definitely need Koun Khmer like yourself to lead.
Please come back to share with us about your legal and political point of views on the latest news being brought to all of us freely by KI-Media (thanks to KI).
Your honor, I have no further question for the witness.
At this moment, your honor, I would like to call the defendant, Ah Hun Sen, to the witness stand.
Deliberation time. We the jury find the defendant, Ah Hun Sen, not guilty for the reason that Ah Hun Sen (has endured physical condition) could not see in both eyes when he signed the border treaty with Ah Yuon (the jurors got the jury instruction from the judge 'China')
Take care,
Somlor Ma-Chou Yuon
Post a Comment