Former monarch says the ruling party is the "younger sibling" to his own Sangkum Reastr Niyum party of the 1950s
Photo by: AFP
King Father Norodom Sihanouk arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport in this file photo.
King Father Norodom Sihanouk arrives at Phnom Penh International Airport in this file photo.
KING Father Norodom Sihanouk on Thursday compared the modern-day Cambodian People's Party to his own Sangkum Reastr Niyum party, founded in 1955, framing both groups as capable stewards of national sovereignty and national progress.
"Now, under the smart leadership of Samdech Hun Sen, Chea Sim, Samdech Heng Samrin ... [the] Cambodian People's Party is following from the legacy of Sangkum Reastr Niyum, during the time that I was president," the King Father said during a meeting with nuns and laymen at his royal residence in Siem Reap province. The event was televised on TVK on Friday and Saturday.
"I have announced publicly to the people that the Cambodian People's Party is the younger sibling of Sangkum Reastr Niyum, especially in its guidance of the people and the nation to happiness and progress in all fields, and in its successful preservation of our sovereignty and independence for generations to come," he said.
In addition to praising the CPP, the monarch also recounted his own political achievements, noting the central role he played in securing independence from France.
"In history, from 1951 to 1953, I was honoured to work towards demanding independence [from France] and completed the pursuit of independence in November 1953," he said.
Cheam Yeap, a CPP lawmaker, said Sunday that he wanted to express gratitude to the King Father for his remarks on behalf of all CPP members. He said that the King Father considered the CPP as the "younger sibling" of Sangkum Reastr Niyum because he recognised the successful polices implemented by the CPP.
King Father Norodom Sihanouk, 87, returned to Cambodia on July 9 after receiving medical treatment in China. He is scheduled to go back to China on September 3 for further medical attention.
1 comment:
I initially failed to see the similarities between the Sangkum Reastr Niyum and the current administration.
However, on retrospect there are some. Firstly, an expansion of education in the 1960s resulted in mass unemployment for high school graduates due to a lack of investment in industry and business and an overemphasis on arts courses. A similar devaluation in education has not happened yet, but it is likely fairly soon.
Secondly, the Prime Minister at that time like today's also did not entertain criticism from the oppositon. In the 1960s, two well known left wing opposition members, Ieng Sary and Khieu Samphan, were believed to have been murdered for their vocal opposition to the PM, but had in actual fact fled into hiding in the jungles to emerge later as high ranking members of the KR.
Thirdly, the PM's focus at that time on satisfying the needs of his immediate supporters at the expense of the general populace led to a worsening of the divide between the rural poor and the affluent city dwellers. The same is true for now.
Ultimately, Sihanouks' policy of playing both sides off each other in the game between the West (US) and the East (Vietnam) during the 60s, made the country vulnerable and dependent on the goodwill of foreign powers for its existence. Again, as with now.
It is possible that King Sihanouk is being wryly amusing when comparing the two periods of history. Something missed by many sycophants. Or he may simply be trying to ensure the monarchy is not abolished in the years after his inevitable death. Something that the current government has already done in all but name.
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