CPP to reform gov't by replacing certain ministers: CPP official

Cheam Yeap, a member of the CPP’s Central Permanent Committee.

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) is ready to reform Cambodia's newly elected government body by replacing some ministers due to the recent decline in votes during July's parliamentary election, according to Cheam Yeap, a member of the CPP’s Central Permanent Committee on Tuesday.

He said that the new government body for this fifth mandate will still be ruled by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Heng Samrin will still remain as chairman of the National Assembly.

"The CPP hasn’t yet released any new structural components for governance in the National Assembly and government," he said.

"The CPP is awaiting the position of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) regarding the formation of the new National Assembly," he added.

King Norodom Sihamoni on Sunday sent a letter to National Election Committee president, Im Suosdey, saying that he will convene all of the elected lawmakers to attend the first session of parliament on September 23.

However, opposition party leader, Sam Rainsy said that his CNRP haven't yet received any letter from the King regarding the parliamentary session.

Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha said the CNRP will not join in the formation of the new government with the CPP, and that they will not attend the parliamentary session if their demands for the establishment of an independent poll inquiry committee to probe into the alleged election issues are not met.

Cheap Yeam said there will be no political deadlock despite the opposition's boycott as the CPP only needs 62 seats to form and adopt the new structure of the National Assembly and government.

The official results of the election announced by the NEC confirmed that the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won 68 seats while the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), led by opposition leader Sam Rainsy, won only 55 seats in the 123-seat National Assembly.