Yim Sovann named SRP spokesman

Yim Sovann (L) shaking hand with Ann Clwyd (R), a member of the British parliament
SRP MP Ke Sovannaroth (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

07 Feb 2009
By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French

Sam Rainsy, SRP President, named Phnom Penh MP Yim Sovann as the new SRP spokesman, replacing his colleague Son Chhay. The decision was made during a meeting of the party permanent committee held on 05 Feb. Very well known within the SRP, Son Chhay did not provide any comment on this change.

Furthermore, Ke Sonannaroth, SRP MP from Banteay Meanchey, who was previously the party standing General-secretary shortly after Eng Chhay Eang’s resignation, was officially confirmed as the permanent party secretary-general. The SRP reorganization marks its will to strengthen itself up in preparation for the upcoming election of municipal, provincial, commune and district councilors which will be held on 17 May 2009.

Opposition reshuffles leadership

Monday, 01 September 2008
Written by Meas Sokchea The Phnom Penh Post

Shift not related to National Assembly boycott, officials say
OPPOSITION party officials say a recent shake-up among top leaders is not due to divisions over their potential boycott of this month's National Assembly meeting to announce a new government.

The Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party have announced they will boycott the meeting, scheduled for September 24, over allegations of election fraud by the ruling Cambodian People's Party in last month's polls.

Nhek Vannara, deputy secretary general of the HRP, said the appointment of Yem Ponhearith in mid-August as the party's new secretary general was made because his background better conformed to the needs of the party.

Former HRP secretary general Ou Chanrath will become vice chairman of the party's discipline committee.

"We made this change not because of any problems in the party," Nhek Vannara said. "It is also not related to any potential boycott of the National Assembly."

The Norodom Ranariddh Party announced that spokesman Muth Chantha will be replaced by Deputy Secretary General Suth Dina.

Suth Dina said he had no idea why the change was made and only recently heard about it from other party members.

"A letter announcing the change was sent to Prince Ranariddh last week, but I haven't seen a copy of it," Suth Dina said.

Former spokesman Muth Chantha told the Post on Sunday he did not know about the change either and could not speculate about the reason for it.

Meanwhile, SRP member Eng Chhay Eang resigned his position as secretary general.

Mu Sochua, SRP deputy secretary general, told the Post on Sunday that Eng Chhay Eang had previously informed the party of his decision but had not made it official until that day.

"I respect his decision because he made it for the benefit of the party," Mu Sochua said, though she could not elaborate on the reasons for his resignation.