Prince: Cambodian royalists to create new party if neglected

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prince Sisowath Thomico (pictured) said that he would create a new royalist party if the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) tries to stifle royalist voices in the next government, national media reported Tuesday.

"I will try to find a means to make the voices of the royalists be heard. If there is only through the establishment of a political party, I will form a political party," Prince Thomico was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying.

Prince Thomico said he would wait until the new government forms to see whether royalists are given responsibilities.

He added that this new party would be different from his short-lived Sangkum Jatiniyum Front (SJF) Party because they would have enough time to work before the next election.

The SJF folded following the 2007 commune election, and the prince's allegiance bounced between Funcinpec and the Norodom Ranariddh Party for a few months before he returned to work at the royal palace, the newspaper said.

Editor: Bi Mingxin