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Showing posts with label DMC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DMC. Show all posts
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Hun Sen surrounds himself with generals acting as advisors
The Strongman and his chiefsBy Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
“Cambodia hold the world record in useless nominations to government positions. This creates an important drain on state resources” - Rong Chhun, CITA PresidentFollowing a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on 27 January 2009, 19 high-ranking army officers were nominated as personal advisors to Hun Sen.
Among these advisors, two will hold a rank equivalent to that of state minister: Pol Saroeun, the newly nominated army chief of staff, and Meas Sopha, Pol Saroeun’s deputy. Six other generals will hold a rank equivalent to that of a minister, and 11 will hold a rank equivalent to that of a secretary of state. All these new advisors already occupy important positions at the National Defense ministry, in particular, Ung Samkhan, the army deputy-chief of staff, Tea Vinh, [Tea Banh’s brother] the royal navy chief, and Soeung Samnang, the air force chief.
As a matter of fact, on 04 October 2008, King Sihamoni already signed another royal decree nominating 104 high-ranking officials to the position of Hun Sen’s advisors, following the latter’s re-election to office.
To an astute observer, this plethora of advisors is a mean [used by Hun Sen] to neutralize some high-ranking government officials. Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Trachers’ Association (CITA), declared over the phone to Cambodge Soir Hebdo: “Cambodia hold the world record in useless nominations to government positions. This creates an important waste of state resources.”
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Obama Showed Peaceful Change: Opposition [-"Cambodia does not belong to any individual, but to all people": Sam Rainsy]
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
26 January 2009
Opposition party leaders Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, who earlier this month joined in a political alliance, said Thursday the recent inauguration of US President Barrack Obama was a good example of how democracy can bring peaceful changes.
“In first-world superpowers and developed countries like the US, people still need change,” said Sam Rainsy, whose eponymous party holds 26 seats in the National Assembly. “Americans wanted change, so I believe that Cambodians, who are facing 1,000 times more hardship, suffering, and poverty than Americans, really want change.”
Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, which has three seats in the Assembly, said the democratic model of the US demonstrated “peaceful power transfers” among “sportsmen.”
Both men appeared on “Hello VOA” Thursday following the joining of their parties in the Political Democratic Movement for Change.
“The alliance is to gather together nationalists, those who love the nation and justice, to stand up and help save the country,” Sam Rainsy said. “Cambodia does not belong to any individual, but to all people.”
Cambodia has become increasingly poor, lacks freedoms and rights, and faces illegal immigration as an ongoing problem, he said, and needed a new leader.
Kem Sokha urged the disadvantaged to “join hands” and vote for the alliance in upcoming elections, repeating allegations that July’s national elections had been sullied by vote-buying, threats and intimidation from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, a charge the CPP has repeatedly denied.
“In first-world superpowers and developed countries like the US, people still need change,” said Sam Rainsy, whose eponymous party holds 26 seats in the National Assembly. “Americans wanted change, so I believe that Cambodians, who are facing 1,000 times more hardship, suffering, and poverty than Americans, really want change.”
Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, which has three seats in the Assembly, said the democratic model of the US demonstrated “peaceful power transfers” among “sportsmen.”
Both men appeared on “Hello VOA” Thursday following the joining of their parties in the Political Democratic Movement for Change.
“The alliance is to gather together nationalists, those who love the nation and justice, to stand up and help save the country,” Sam Rainsy said. “Cambodia does not belong to any individual, but to all people.”
Cambodia has become increasingly poor, lacks freedoms and rights, and faces illegal immigration as an ongoing problem, he said, and needed a new leader.
Kem Sokha urged the disadvantaged to “join hands” and vote for the alliance in upcoming elections, repeating allegations that July’s national elections had been sullied by vote-buying, threats and intimidation from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, a charge the CPP has repeatedly denied.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Well, Mr. Hun Sen, even if the opposition alliance will not last, sooner or later, you'll be out of office as well! It's just a matter of time
Hun Sen predicts hasty demise of new opposition alliance
PHNOM PENH, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned that the recent alliance of two main opposition parties will not last, national media reported on Thursday.
The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP), which are two main opposition parties in the Cambodian National Assembly (NA), agreed last week in principle to establish a political alliance called the Democratic Movement of Change (DMC) for the upcoming elections.
"When I want (the alliance) to separate, they will be separated," English-language newspaper the Phnom Penh Post quoted the premier as saying on Tuesday in Oddar Meanchey province.
"I would like to tell you that now one-third of their members have defected to the Cambodian People's Party (CPP)," he said.
Hun Sen belongs to CPP, which is the major ruling party.
"I am never scared of these mergers. Do not say that an alliance will cause CPP to fall," he added.
The DMC is a new political force to lead and advance the country to have prosperity, according to the joint statement issued by both parties.
The upcoming elections include the 2012 commune councils election and the 2013 general election.
"Our candidates will be registered to represent only one party in polling constituency," SRP president Sam Rainsy and HRP president Kem Sokha told reporters at a press conference.
"We will walk on the non-violent and legal strategies for political actions," Sam Rainsy said, adding that the movement does not oppose any individual or parties.
Meanwhile, Khem Sokha appealed to intellectuals and democratic supporters to join the DMC for upcoming elections.
In last year's general election, CPP won some 90 seats, SRP 26 and HRP 3 in all the 123 seats in NA.
The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and the Human Rights Party (HRP), which are two main opposition parties in the Cambodian National Assembly (NA), agreed last week in principle to establish a political alliance called the Democratic Movement of Change (DMC) for the upcoming elections.
"When I want (the alliance) to separate, they will be separated," English-language newspaper the Phnom Penh Post quoted the premier as saying on Tuesday in Oddar Meanchey province.
"I would like to tell you that now one-third of their members have defected to the Cambodian People's Party (CPP)," he said.
Hun Sen belongs to CPP, which is the major ruling party.
"I am never scared of these mergers. Do not say that an alliance will cause CPP to fall," he added.
The DMC is a new political force to lead and advance the country to have prosperity, according to the joint statement issued by both parties.
The upcoming elections include the 2012 commune councils election and the 2013 general election.
"Our candidates will be registered to represent only one party in polling constituency," SRP president Sam Rainsy and HRP president Kem Sokha told reporters at a press conference.
"We will walk on the non-violent and legal strategies for political actions," Sam Rainsy said, adding that the movement does not oppose any individual or parties.
Meanwhile, Khem Sokha appealed to intellectuals and democratic supporters to join the DMC for upcoming elections.
In last year's general election, CPP won some 90 seats, SRP 26 and HRP 3 in all the 123 seats in NA.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Chea Vichea: A Workers’ Hero
Chea Vichea's memorial in 2008 (Photo: AFP)20 Jan 2009
By Leang Delux
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from Khmer by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
The SRP and HRP signed a joint statement regarding the commemoration of Chea Vichea, the union leader who was slain in Phnom Penh in 2004.
The two opposition parties, which are now allied to each other through the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), called on King Sihamoni to grant the posthumous honorific title of “Workers’ Hero” to Chea Vichea. Such request have also been made several times in the past by opposition parties and by Chea Mony, Chea Vichea’s brother who took over his leadership position a the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC).
Regarding the current provisional release of the two men who were accused of killing Chea Vichea, the joint communiqué stated that “the release of these two alleged culprits by the Supreme Court on 31 December 2008 shows that the Cambodian government admitted that these two men were only instruments and victims of the current deficient judicial system.”
The communiqué also added: “we, along with millions of other Cambodians, wish to see justice being rendered and we are asking the government to conduct a serious investigation in the case by taking into consideration the depositions given by eyewitnesses of the cruel murder of Chea Vichea.” The two opposition parties also recalled the value of Chea Vichea’s sacrifice and his total dedication to the workers’ cause when he was still alive.
Flower bouquets will be placed at the murder scene on Pasteur Street in Phnom Penh on Thursday 22 January. On Wednesday, the Phnom Penh city hall finally gave its authorization to hold this commemoration ceremony.
The two opposition parties, which are now allied to each other through the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), called on King Sihamoni to grant the posthumous honorific title of “Workers’ Hero” to Chea Vichea. Such request have also been made several times in the past by opposition parties and by Chea Mony, Chea Vichea’s brother who took over his leadership position a the Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers in the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC).
Regarding the current provisional release of the two men who were accused of killing Chea Vichea, the joint communiqué stated that “the release of these two alleged culprits by the Supreme Court on 31 December 2008 shows that the Cambodian government admitted that these two men were only instruments and victims of the current deficient judicial system.”
The communiqué also added: “we, along with millions of other Cambodians, wish to see justice being rendered and we are asking the government to conduct a serious investigation in the case by taking into consideration the depositions given by eyewitnesses of the cruel murder of Chea Vichea.” The two opposition parties also recalled the value of Chea Vichea’s sacrifice and his total dedication to the workers’ cause when he was still alive.
Flower bouquets will be placed at the murder scene on Pasteur Street in Phnom Penh on Thursday 22 January. On Wednesday, the Phnom Penh city hall finally gave its authorization to hold this commemoration ceremony.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Opposition Parties Sign Into Alliance
Sam Rainsy (R) shook hand with Kem Sokha (L) during the signing of the alliance agreement between the two parties at the SRP headquarters on 15 Jan 2009 (Photo: AFP)Phnom Penh
15 January 2009
The Human Rights and Sam Rainsy parties officially signed into an opposition coalition movement, saying they were confident they would be able to defeat the ruling party in upcoming elections by pushing for changes in national election regulations.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he was not surprised by the move, but said he doubted the two parties together would defeat Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party.
The new coalition, called the Political Democratic Movement for Change, was signed by party leaders Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy Thursday morning.
“Today is a historic day for the Cambodian people, and it is the time for the people to decide to change the leader in Cambodia,” Kem Sokha told reporters. “We will follow democracy and respect the rule of law and counter corruption.”
The movement so far does not have an organizational structure, and technical details would be discussed later, Kem Sokha said.
“We had a plan to form this movement a long time ago,” Sam Rainsy told reporters Thursday. “We appeal to students, civil servants and all people to join with us for change in Cambodia.”
The leaders publicly urged activists from both parties across the country to work together and prepare for commune elections in 2012 and national elections the year after.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said he was not surprised by the move, but said he doubted the two parties together would defeat Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party.
The new coalition, called the Political Democratic Movement for Change, was signed by party leaders Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy Thursday morning.
“Today is a historic day for the Cambodian people, and it is the time for the people to decide to change the leader in Cambodia,” Kem Sokha told reporters. “We will follow democracy and respect the rule of law and counter corruption.”
The movement so far does not have an organizational structure, and technical details would be discussed later, Kem Sokha said.
“We had a plan to form this movement a long time ago,” Sam Rainsy told reporters Thursday. “We appeal to students, civil servants and all people to join with us for change in Cambodia.”
The leaders publicly urged activists from both parties across the country to work together and prepare for commune elections in 2012 and national elections the year after.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha inspired by Barack Obama
Sam Rainsy (R) and Kem Sokha (L) sign the agreement giving birth to the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC) (Photo: AN, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)15 Jan 2009
By Leang Delux and Alain Ney
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Just like the US president-elect, Cambodia’s two politicians promote change to launch their new movement.
On Thursday morning, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha officially announced the birth of the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), borne out of the alliance of their respective political parties. The event took place at the SRP headquarters, under the presence of about 20 MPs, party activists and numerous journalists.
Answering to question about the type of change this alliance wish to bring in, Sam Rainsy explained that this word should be understood “in a broad sense, recalling that Barack Obama’s slogan during the last US presidential election was: ‘The change we need’, we want to change society which, currently, is filled with injustice and corruption.”
“Our ambition is to propose an alternative choice to the citizens, either they want the communist party where [state] lands are being sold and deforestation takes place, or the democrats and freedom,” Kem Sokha, HRP President, summarized.
Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy called on their respective party activists to start collaborating with each other in view of the upcoming election.
On Thursday morning, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha officially announced the birth of the Democratic Movement for Change (DMC), borne out of the alliance of their respective political parties. The event took place at the SRP headquarters, under the presence of about 20 MPs, party activists and numerous journalists.
Answering to question about the type of change this alliance wish to bring in, Sam Rainsy explained that this word should be understood “in a broad sense, recalling that Barack Obama’s slogan during the last US presidential election was: ‘The change we need’, we want to change society which, currently, is filled with injustice and corruption.”
“Our ambition is to propose an alternative choice to the citizens, either they want the communist party where [state] lands are being sold and deforestation takes place, or the democrats and freedom,” Kem Sokha, HRP President, summarized.
Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy called on their respective party activists to start collaborating with each other in view of the upcoming election.
Cambodia's 2 main opposition parties ally for upcoming elections
Sam Rainsy (R) shook hand with Kem Sokha (L) during the signing of the alliance agreement between the two parties at the SRP headquarters on 15 Jan 2009 (Photo: AFP)PHNOM PENH, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and Human Rights Party (HRP), which are two main opposition parties in the Cambodian National Assembly, agreed Thursday in principle to establish a political alliance called the Democratic Movement of Change (DMC) for the upcoming elections.
The DMC is a new political force to lead and advance the country to have prosperity, according to the joint statement issued by both parties.
The upcoming elections include the 2012 commune council election and the 2013 general election.
"Our candidates will be registered to represent only one party in polling constituency," SRP president Sam Rainsy and HRP president Kem Sokha told reporters at a press conference.
"We will walk on the non-violent and legal strategies for political actions," Sam Rainsy said, adding that the movement does not oppose any individual or parties.
Meanwhile, Khem Sokha appealed to intellectuals and democratic supporters to join the DMC for upcoming elections.
In last year's general election, the SRP won 26 seats and HRP won three seats in all the 123 seats in the National Assembly.
The DMC is a new political force to lead and advance the country to have prosperity, according to the joint statement issued by both parties.
The upcoming elections include the 2012 commune council election and the 2013 general election.
"Our candidates will be registered to represent only one party in polling constituency," SRP president Sam Rainsy and HRP president Kem Sokha told reporters at a press conference.
"We will walk on the non-violent and legal strategies for political actions," Sam Rainsy said, adding that the movement does not oppose any individual or parties.
Meanwhile, Khem Sokha appealed to intellectuals and democratic supporters to join the DMC for upcoming elections.
In last year's general election, the SRP won 26 seats and HRP won three seats in all the 123 seats in the National Assembly.
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