Director of “Samleng Yuvachun Khmer” jumps the NRP ship to join the CPP

08 Oct 2008
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set
Unofficial tanslationom French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Click here to read the article in Khmer

On Wednesday 08 October, it was learnt that Keo Sothea, director of the daily newspaper Samleng Yuvachun Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth), close to the Norodom Ranariddh Party, has joined the ruling CPP. The defection follows the political pullout and resignation of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the former NRP president.

“I explained my decision to join the CPP in a letter sent to them,” Keo Sothea explained when he was contacted by Ka-set over the phone. “I knew, through Keo Remy [ex-president of the HRP disciplinary committee and new CPP member], who served as the intermediary between myself and my new party, that I was welcomed by them.” Furthermore, Keo Sothea indicated that there will be no change at his newspaper political direction: “The NRP was also favorable to the government.”

When Keo Sothea took over his position in 1999 to head the Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, the newspaper was then close to Funcinpec. Following the [Funcinpec] crisis in 2006, he then turned to the NRP.

Up until now, Keo Sothea was a member of the NRP director committee and administration council – the NRP obtained two seats during the 27 July general election – he said that he does not know yet what position he will be given within the CPP government.

Nhiek Bun Chhay plans to sue two local newspapers for defamation

30 August 2007
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Nhiek Bun Chhay, vice-prime minister and Funcinpec secretary-general, claimed that the he is currently preparing lawsuits – to be sent to the Phnom Penh municipal court in the near future – against two newspapers for defaming him. He accused the two newspapers of publishing false information which affected his honor.

The two Khmer-language daily newspapers he plant to sue are: Samleng Yuvachon Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth), and Khmer Amatak (Eternal Khmer).

Nhiek Bun Chhay told RFA on Wednesday that he is currently preparing the complaints so that his lawyer can hand them over to the Phnom Penh municipal court shortly.

Nhiek Bun Chhay said: “I have prepared these complaints, and maybe tomorrow or so, I will hand in the complaints because these NRP-supporting newspapers publish false information. Samleng Yuvachon and Khmer Amatak publish today information which affected me.”

He clarified that he has the full freedom to travel outside of the country as normal, and that there is no (travel) restriction (imposed on him) by the authority as a number of newspapers reported recently: “This information is false, I went to Thailand and I just came back. In a day or two, I will leave (to overseas) again.”

Regarding the plan to sue the 2 newspapers, Liev Sovanna, a defense lawyer involved in the lawsuit brought up by Prince Ranariddh, said that he did not receive the request from Nhiek Bun Chhay yet, but that he will handle these lawsuits as soon as Nhiek Bun Chhay will ask him to. He indicated that in his position as a lawyer, he has no political preference: “I did not yet receive Nhiek Bun Chhay’s request, maybe, he didn’t request yet.”

Reacting to Nhiek Bun Chhay’s lawsuits plan, Keo Sothea, the editor of the Samleng Yuvachon Khmer said: “If it involves an actual mistake, I will issue a correction or clarification.”

Bun Tha, editor of Khmer Amatak, reacted by saying: “We already know about the drug case, when (the story) is published, he must send a written clarification letter, not just for newspapers, but for the general public. In Cambodia, the drug issue is very stinky, it is a very bad issue.”

On 01 April 2007, a joint police force raided and confiscated about 6 tons of raw material used in drug production, in Treng Troyeung commune, Phnom Sruoch district, Kompong Speu province, and also in Phnom Penh, and the authority arrested 18 people during the raid: 14 Cambodian citizens and 4 foreigners.

In August, the authority arrested 2 important suspects: Oum Chhay who was the advisot of the National Assembly President Heng Samrin, but he committed suicide by jumping down a building on 21 August; and Chea Chung, the owner of the land and the farm where the raw drug material was stored. Chea Chung is known as the former advisor of Nhiek Bun Chhay.