Cambodia's Awakening - MP Mu Sochua's Response to Dr. Narankiri Tith

Dear Dr. Naranhkiri,

Greetings from rainy Kampot, the place that gives me wisdom.

I did see your comments and suggestion to Ou Ritthy to invite Mr. Sam Rainsy for a talk. Many thanks and we also await his invitation. We accept almost all invitations and have been very busy with just that, working out the fine details for each working group and communicating with our grassroots base.

I refer to the article you recommended Cambodia's Long March Towards Democracy. 

Please allow me to put some additional points, as a view of one of the many at the front line of the march:

Cambodia's Awakening vs. Arab Spring:

If you check my blog http://sochua.wordpress.com, you will see that I use the word Awakening and not Arab Spring. CNRP strategy is to get people out of the trauma syndrome, moving from being victims of the KR regime to being survivors and taking charge of their own destiny.

The Beginning of Cambodia's Awakening:

Unfair economic land concessions, widespread land grabs and the workers' minimum wage, corruption at all levels that Hun Sen continues to ignore and to ignite are the key issues for people to be fed up with CPP and to look for a viable alternative.

SRP and HRP learning from the 2012 commune election put national interests first and CNRP became the united opposition that the people choose to support in July 2013.

The Momentum of the Cambodia's Awakening

 CNRP foot soldiers backed by mid-level leaders put up party signs in most remote villages all over Cambodia. Mid-level leaders with MP candidates and working groups covered the entire Cambodia with town hall meetings, village level fora and door-to-door knocking.  Mr. Kem Sokha as the voice from inside and Mr. Sam Rainsy (still in exile) covering overseas Cambodian communities. Overseas Khmers strongly funded the capaign from the very beginning. CNRP democracy caravan took the show on the road with the magic word "Phdo! " . One simple word that covers the reality of 90% of Cambodia while CPP could not get their feet out of their own quagmire. CPP old machinery got outdated, overly loaded by communist style management could not catch up with the vibrant youth forces on social media. The entire country and not just one Tahir Square went out to get people off their feet. 

CPP made huge miscalculations by undermining the popularity and trust that our people have in Mr. Sam Rainsy. On 19 July, 2013 his return said it all: Cambodia has totally embarked in Phdo! Change!.

CPP elites campaign with NO CHANGE! WHY CHANGE? IF YOU PITY HUN SEN, VOTE FOR CPP. 

Game over.

Cambodia's Genie was out of the bottle. 

Freedom Park

Up to 1 million people or more took to Freedom Park to unleash their pains and the stories of injustice. 

CNRP unleashed a new culture of non-violence and call for national unity, took the the streets from August 2013 to 3 January 2014. 

It has been an incredible journey to stand for Non-Violence principles for a nation that has known nothing but violence. We have had to stand firm against those who want to move towards a quick fix by using violence.

Freedom Park or Democracy Square becomes the symbol of Khmers united with one common goal: Justice.

The Agreement

Negotiations have lead to the 22 July Agreements. A Tsunamy of critics from inside and outside of Cambodia hit CNRP leadership by labeling them "traitors" for pocketing US$ 100 million. 

The signed agreement covers CNRP benchmarks:

An independent NEC;

New voter list;

Power sharing in the legislative branch for a Loyal Opposition;

5 key social sector Parliamentary Commissions: Human Rights, Anti-Corruption, Health, Education, Labor. These are issues that are covered in the CNRP campaign platform;

We are still looking at the devil in the details and not rushing to take oath till all is clear. Very soon.

Building Democracy

3 CNRP youth leaders were arrested yesterday. Monks are being threatened in Svay Rieng today with police and military forces demoting the pro-democracy chief monk. CPP  get their feet  deeper into the whole. The attached pictures of the MPs and youth leaders in handcuffs have gone viral. The key youth networks , Kampuchea Krom and monks groups are planning for another  big show in front the Vietnamese embassy next week. Land victims continue to pour into Phnom Penh. Workers now up their demand to $177 as minimum wage from $160 with pro-CPP trade unions in support. These are independent forces from CNRP but they are pro-democracy. 

In building democracy we need:

The cause(s);

The moral authority;

The rules and principles;

The strategies;

The communication system.

The mechanisms for free and fair elections;

The Loyal Opposition;

The vibrant civil society.

Non-violence.

Accountability;

Rule of law;

Independent judiciary.

Many want Change NOW but it will be the change of the Arab Spring, i.e. the return of the military. 

We need to build democratic governance by bringing CPP into the fold. Next elections stage must be set now or we will go thru the same pains and even loose the core forces. 

There is no doubt that the people know who they want as their leader(s). The voters are very engaged and no one can fool them. Let's continue to build with what we have and build the pillars of democracy even stronger rather than starting again.

We have the people. We have the power and let's run with our agenda rather than always be haunted by a force that is already crumbling. 

We need to talk reconciliation rather than look at each other as enemies. We need to pave the way for a smooth transition and let the oppressors leave with assurances that as winners we will not take all.

Personal attacks can not be solutions for a nation. Let the people decide and that is why we ask for a chance. We are not saying don't criticize. 

All feedback, ideas, opinions very welcome. We need to take all the factors mentioned above as our base to construct the democratic base. 

 In Solidarity,

Mu Sochua, MP-elect

-- 

Mu Sochua, MP

http://sochua.wordpress.com

"Trust your daughters, they are faithful. Honor your daughters, they are honorable. And educate your daughters, they are amazing." ~ Malala Yousafsai