‘An act of coup d’etat’ [Well, Hun Sen had already staged one military coup in 1997 and one constitutional coup after the 28 July 2013 election by stealing the election victory from the CNRP!]

Daniel Pye and Meas Sokchea, The Phnom Penh Post

Tue, 24 December 2013

Dozens of ruling party lawmakers have signed a letter calling opposition demands for a re-election or the resignation of Prime Minister Hun Sen an attempted coup.

The letter, signed by 54 Cambodian People’s Party lawmakers including senior MP Cheam Yeap on Friday and released to the media yesterday, said the CPP had exercised restraint in dealing with the protests, adding that the demonstrations were illegal and an attempt to overthrow the government.

“The immoral words and illegal [acts] of Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha and their accomplices that are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Hun Sen and asking for a re-election … is completely an act of coup d’etat,” the letter read.

“We the lawmakers of the CPP in the fifth mandate would like to strongly speak against the illegal act, rude attitude and the immoral announcements of the leaders and members of the CNRP in the mass demonstrations,” it continued.

It also criticised the opposition plan to block major roads into the capital during future demonstrations, claiming the move “would lead to [the opposition] occupying some state institutions as they follow the methods from [other] countries”.