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 is suing the Voice of Khmer Youth newspaper

Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Nhiek Bun Chhay, Funcinpec secretary-general, sent a complaint to the Phnom Penh municipal court to sue the editor of the Samleng Yuveakchun Khmer (Voice of Khmer Youth) newspaper – which currently supports the NRP – for defamation because the newspaper published articles which affect his honor and reputation, and also those of the Funcinpec party. The articles brought up Nhiek Bun Chhay are (1) titled as “ Nhiek Bun Chhay involved in the investigation of drug in Kompong Speu”, and (2) titled as “ Where is Chea Chung, the leader of the drug production?” In his lawsuit, Nhiek Bun Chhay refutes the information published by the newspaper, and he accuses them of being untrue and constitutes defamation. He requested the court to sentence the newspaper. Keo Sothea, the newspaper editor, told the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper that he did not know about this lawsuit yet, however, he said that whatever he published was not slander against Nhiek Bun Chhay. He said that he receive information from various sources which provide these information.