MPs from the ruling CPP rejected opposition request to inspect border areas

By Khmerization

Source: CEN

Mr. Cheam Yeap, a senior MP from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), said the 90 MPs from the CPP will not go to visit the contentious border areas as requested by the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP).

On 18th November, 4 MPs from the SRP wrote a letter to National Assembly chairman Heng Samrin inviting him and other MPs to visit the contentious border post No. 109 in Memot district in Kampong Cham province which claimed by villagers as being planted inside their land and Cambodian territory by the Vietnamese authority.

Mr. Cheam Yeap said the 90 MPs from the ruling CPP will not be visiting the said border post as they have the confidence in the government's border protection policy. He said the government is accountable and answerable to the laws and the National Assembly if it does something wrong. Furthermore, he said MPs do not have expertise in border affairs, therefore they must have the confidence in the government, especially in Cambodian Border Commission Chairman Mr. Var Kimhong's ability because he is an expert on border affairs.

Mr. Rong Chhun, chairman of the Cambodian Watchdog Council (CWC), said he will lead a delegation of 20 CWC members, accompanied by 20 local and international journalists, to visit border post No. 109 on 24th November. His planned visit came after 222 local villagers had petitioned Mr. Var Kimhong about Vietnamese encroachments on their lands. Mr. Var Kimhong, however, has warned Mr. Rong Chhun and his group not to visit the contentious border post, saying that he will order local police to take measures against them.