By Neth Pheaktra
The Mekong Times
Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday asked President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin to temporarily suspend the parliamentary immunity of opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) President Sam Rainsy.
The court has made the request so that Sam Rainsy can be investigated over the defamation lawsuit that has been filed against him by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
Nguon Nhel, first deputy president of the National Assembly, said last night that the Permanent Commission of the National Assembly – currently on vacation – has the right to summon members to decide on the status of a parliamentarian’s immunity.
He said that the decision requires a majority ruling.
“If there is no suspension, no one can arrest parliamentarians as they have immunity except in the case of very serious crimes.”
Sam Rainsy, a lawmaker for Kompong Cham province, said the court’s request was a ploy by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to intimidate the SRP.
“They want to threaten the SRP once again. This has occurred on many occasions. It is like the arrest of Dam Sith [editor-in-chief of Moneaksekar Khmer],” Sam Rainsy said.
“I do not feel surprised or worried. They have orchestrated the issue to divert the attention of Cambodian citizens from such issues as inflation – rising prices of goods – and land issues the CPP can not tackle.”
Nonetheless, Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith suggested that the judicial issue should not be refused with government affairs, saying the legal complaint lodged by Hor Namhong against Sam Rainsy “is a court matter.”
Kek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, said she regretted the turn of events.
“I feel very regretful over the existence of these controversial problems; first the arrest and release of Dam Sith and now it is Sam Rainsy’s turn.
“It is a message to frighten voters. How can we say that the upcoming election is free and fair when the voters are scared to express their point of views?” said Kek Galabru.
The Mekong Times
Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday asked President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin to temporarily suspend the parliamentary immunity of opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) President Sam Rainsy.
The court has made the request so that Sam Rainsy can be investigated over the defamation lawsuit that has been filed against him by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.
Nguon Nhel, first deputy president of the National Assembly, said last night that the Permanent Commission of the National Assembly – currently on vacation – has the right to summon members to decide on the status of a parliamentarian’s immunity.
He said that the decision requires a majority ruling.
“If there is no suspension, no one can arrest parliamentarians as they have immunity except in the case of very serious crimes.”
Sam Rainsy, a lawmaker for Kompong Cham province, said the court’s request was a ploy by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to intimidate the SRP.
“They want to threaten the SRP once again. This has occurred on many occasions. It is like the arrest of Dam Sith [editor-in-chief of Moneaksekar Khmer],” Sam Rainsy said.
“I do not feel surprised or worried. They have orchestrated the issue to divert the attention of Cambodian citizens from such issues as inflation – rising prices of goods – and land issues the CPP can not tackle.”
Nonetheless, Information Minister and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith suggested that the judicial issue should not be refused with government affairs, saying the legal complaint lodged by Hor Namhong against Sam Rainsy “is a court matter.”
Kek Galabru, president of local rights group Licadho, said she regretted the turn of events.
“I feel very regretful over the existence of these controversial problems; first the arrest and release of Dam Sith and now it is Sam Rainsy’s turn.
“It is a message to frighten voters. How can we say that the upcoming election is free and fair when the voters are scared to express their point of views?” said Kek Galabru.
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