Thursday, 12 June 2008
Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times
Civil society organizations yesterday asked political parties to publicize their policies ahead of next month’s election instead of relying on verbal attacks and posturing.
“I regret that some political parties regard defections as more important news than their actual policies,” said Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Election (Comfrel).
“Political parties had better change their attitudes and start addressing the problems facing society,” he added.
Kek Galabru, the president of local human rights group Licadho, echoed the comments of the political watchdog leader, claiming the verbal attacks ahead of the election were “useless.”
“Political parties must show and disseminate their policies,” she said. “People have the right to access the information which allows them to properly choose a political party.”
The current campaign lacks maturity, Kek Galabru added.
Koul Panha said that political parties are busy promoting how many defectors they have welcomed when the public is “tired of the issue.”
“The information on defections has already been simple news for Cambodian people since 1993. It does not give any benefits to people.”
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said from Kampong Thom province that the opposition Sam Rainsy party was “heavily bleeding” defectors and that a prospective lawmaker from the Human Rights Party had also been recently welcomed at his ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said yesterday that the CPP was engaged in “psychological warfare” through its claims on TV that the CPP is receiving droves of defectors from his party.
Speaking at a press conference, Sam Rainsy said: “SRP defectors were presented on TV to turn people’s attention away from rising goods prices, poor living conditions, land disputes, and decline in the CPP’s popularity.”
He also claimed that tens of thousands of local CPP members who are unhappy with the CPP have defected to the SRP, but that he did not need to parade them publicly.
“The CPP relies only on the purchase [of other political parties’ members], threats, and lies. People defect to the SRP willingly,” he said. “[T]he people who defected to the CPP just want money.”
“I regret that some political parties regard defections as more important news than their actual policies,” said Koul Panha, executive director of the Committee for Free and Fair Election (Comfrel).
“Political parties had better change their attitudes and start addressing the problems facing society,” he added.
Kek Galabru, the president of local human rights group Licadho, echoed the comments of the political watchdog leader, claiming the verbal attacks ahead of the election were “useless.”
“Political parties must show and disseminate their policies,” she said. “People have the right to access the information which allows them to properly choose a political party.”
The current campaign lacks maturity, Kek Galabru added.
Koul Panha said that political parties are busy promoting how many defectors they have welcomed when the public is “tired of the issue.”
“The information on defections has already been simple news for Cambodian people since 1993. It does not give any benefits to people.”
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said from Kampong Thom province that the opposition Sam Rainsy party was “heavily bleeding” defectors and that a prospective lawmaker from the Human Rights Party had also been recently welcomed at his ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy said yesterday that the CPP was engaged in “psychological warfare” through its claims on TV that the CPP is receiving droves of defectors from his party.
Speaking at a press conference, Sam Rainsy said: “SRP defectors were presented on TV to turn people’s attention away from rising goods prices, poor living conditions, land disputes, and decline in the CPP’s popularity.”
He also claimed that tens of thousands of local CPP members who are unhappy with the CPP have defected to the SRP, but that he did not need to parade them publicly.
“The CPP relies only on the purchase [of other political parties’ members], threats, and lies. People defect to the SRP willingly,” he said. “[T]he people who defected to the CPP just want money.”
