Phnom Penh Post
By Vong Sokheng
Opposition leader Kem Sokha prepares for a press
conference on political intimidation at the CNRP headquarters in Phnom
Penh yesterday. Photograph: Heng Chivoan/Phnom Penh Post
Opposition leader Kem Sokha appealed to the ruling party to halt
“political intimidation”, which he blamed for the breakup of a pair of
Cambodia National Rescue forums on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference held at CNRP headquarters a day after two meetings in Kandal province were drowned out by hundreds of protesters calling for an apology over his alleged S-21 comment, Sokha said the opposition had little doubt the incident was the work of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
“The inciting statement was broadcast across all media, and the broadcast was evidence that the CPP was behind the demonstration,” Sokha said, referring to the premier’s discussion of the protest in the leadup to Sunday’s mass rallies.
Demonstrations were held across the country on Sunday, calling for an apology by Sokha. Though S-21 survivor Chum Mey spearheaded the protests, the opposition – as well as some rights groups – have maintained that the government had a heavy hand in them.
Sokha said yesterday the mounting incidents had made him fear for his personal safety as well as that of “CNRP political activists across the country”.
“If there is violence against me or other activists, the ruling party has to take responsibility,” he said.
“The party has created a lot of forms of intimidation, defamation and incitement.”
Should Prime Minister Hun Sen be unable to ensure the opposition’s security, Sokha added, he should step down.
“It is a time of political instability, and the election will not be free and fair if the ruling party takes no measures to provide security,” he said.
But ruling party officials scoffed at Sokha’s claims, saying he had no one to blame but himself if he landed in hot water.
“Samdach Techo [Hun Sen] has enough ability to maintain political stability and safety for all people, and has ordered all local authorities to prevent any act of violence, but Cambodian people are still free to organise demonstrations against Sokha,” senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said, before advising that Sokha apologise and defuse the situation.
“What we were concerned about is that an act of violence may be made up by Sokha and blamed on the ruling party,” he added.
Speaking at a press conference held at CNRP headquarters a day after two meetings in Kandal province were drowned out by hundreds of protesters calling for an apology over his alleged S-21 comment, Sokha said the opposition had little doubt the incident was the work of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.
“The inciting statement was broadcast across all media, and the broadcast was evidence that the CPP was behind the demonstration,” Sokha said, referring to the premier’s discussion of the protest in the leadup to Sunday’s mass rallies.
Demonstrations were held across the country on Sunday, calling for an apology by Sokha. Though S-21 survivor Chum Mey spearheaded the protests, the opposition – as well as some rights groups – have maintained that the government had a heavy hand in them.
Sokha said yesterday the mounting incidents had made him fear for his personal safety as well as that of “CNRP political activists across the country”.
“If there is violence against me or other activists, the ruling party has to take responsibility,” he said.
“The party has created a lot of forms of intimidation, defamation and incitement.”
Should Prime Minister Hun Sen be unable to ensure the opposition’s security, Sokha added, he should step down.
“It is a time of political instability, and the election will not be free and fair if the ruling party takes no measures to provide security,” he said.
But ruling party officials scoffed at Sokha’s claims, saying he had no one to blame but himself if he landed in hot water.
“Samdach Techo [Hun Sen] has enough ability to maintain political stability and safety for all people, and has ordered all local authorities to prevent any act of violence, but Cambodian people are still free to organise demonstrations against Sokha,” senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said, before advising that Sokha apologise and defuse the situation.
“What we were concerned about is that an act of violence may be made up by Sokha and blamed on the ruling party,” he added.
5 comments:
myself,KHMER OVERSEAS, ASKS FOR JUSTICES FOR #2 WIFE FAMILY,,
HOW CAN OPPOSITION PARTY LEADER (ks) DID SUCH STUPID THINGS,, ???
I NEED JUSTICES FOR #2 WIFE family ASAP.
justice in Cambodia, can not leave her behind
34 years of dictator Hun Sen is enough. He is corrupt, he killed too many people, he killed his mistress Pisith Pilika and he is a puppet of Vietnam, so please change him.
cambodian peoples voted for him to lead the country for 34yrs,
in 34 years to lead the country by HS,
much much better improvements for my country
i will cast my vote for u, decho SEN
1:00 pm. I agree in 34 years lead by AH Hun Sen it is much improvement for the Vietnamese. More more and Vietnamese come to live in Cambodia. Even many Cambodians now go to Vietnam for hosptial care as Cambodia needs 100 more years before they can improve hosptial in Cambodia.
Cambodia need more money for Ah Hun Sen.
Sokha's his big mouth hunting him. I don't know where Sokha was during Khmer Rouge. Did he live outside Cambodia?
If he said so, it is very disturbing comment and really stupidity of his part.
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