Funcinpec is not kidding when it comes down to the monarchy

Soy Sopheap

16 March 2009
By Ky Soklim
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the article in French

A TV anchor attracted the ire of the royalist party after he criticized the latter for the upcoming election.

Keo Puth Rasmey, Funcinpec president, informed the press about his intention to sue and to organize a demonstration against Soy Sopheap, the star-anchor of the pro-government TV channel CTN. Funcinpec leaders did not appreciate some of the comments made by the anchorman regarding the monarchy and the royalist party.

“Soy Sopheap had seriously criticized my party on TV, and this is not the first time,” Keo Puth Rasmey said over the phone after he was alerted on the issue by Nhiek Bun Chhay, the party secretary-general.

On his end, Soy Sopheap tried to cool down the situation. “They should not link the two issues. I respect the monarchy, but I criticize Funcinpec,” he justified. Soy Sopheap explained that he ridiculed Funcinpec and NRP leaders for holding vote swearing ceremonies [party members are forced to swear that they will only vote for the party candidates] for their parties for the upcoming district and provincial councils. He added that, in the past, the two royalist parties have accused the CPP for the same practice, but that now, they are doing the same thing as the CPP.

Battle of the light weight titans: Nhiek Bun Chhay vs Soy Sopheap

Nhiek Bun Chhay (L) and Soy Sopheap (R)

Party Leader To Protest TV Host Remarks

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
16 March 2009

Phnom Penh authorities have green-lighted a demonstration to be led by Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay against a television political commentator, officials said Monday.

No date has been set for a demonstration, against Cambodian Television Network commentator Soy Sopheap, which could be held in front of CTN headquarters in Phnom Penh, Nhiek Bun Chhay said.

Nhiek Bun Chhay claims Soy Sopheap slandered the reputation of his party, which was once a rival to the ruling party but is now a diminished coalition partner, in comments made March 12.

The party is preparing for district and provincial council elections in May.

“My party’s commune activists were unhappy when they heard Soy Sopheap announcement on the 12th about Funcinpec’s reputation,” Nhiek Bun Chhay said. “I received a lot of complaints from them against Soy Sopheap.”

Soy Sopheap hosts a political show, “Thursday Talk,” which airs every Thursday night.

Soy Sopheap said Monday he was expressing his opinion, legal under the constitution.

“If you are a politician, you should be able to receive constructive criticism,” he told VOA Khmer.

Pen Samithik, president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, said Monday the demonstration marked the first time a senior political figure demonstrated against a journalist.

“Nhiek Bun Chhay should have another solution against Soy Sopheap, such as writing an official letter to him asking for an apology, or filing a complaint to the court,” Pen Samitik said.

Reached by phone in Beijing Monday, Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema told VOA Khmer he had not received the complaint, but said that as a high-ranking official, Nhiek Bun Chhay should not choose a demonstration as a resolution.

“If you think an announcement affects your party, you should ask [the commentator] to correct his mistake or file a complaint to the court,” Kep Chuktema said.