Ex-S-21 photographer defects to new party

Former S-21 photographer Nhem En (pictured) yesterday joined the Khmer Power Party after defecting from the CPP. Vireak Mai

Ex-S-21 photographer defects to new party

Wed, 8 June 2016 ppp

Bun Sengkong and Ananth Baliga

Former S-21 photographer Nhem En yesterday joined the Sourn Serey Ratha-led Khmer Power Party, marking his second defection after having previously supported both the major national parties.

En, who used to work with the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s provincial administration in Oddar Meanchey, and before that as the CPP’s deputy district governor for Anlong Veng in the same province, will now head the KPP’s Siem Reap offices, as well as become the acting president of the party’s national network.

“The leaders [at KPP] think about the national interest and they have welcomed me to the party,” En said. “The party is small, but strong.”

En said his decision to leave the CNRP was based on his dissatisfaction at how the CNRP was being run by its leaders, Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, and that the duo “did not pay him attention”.

“[Sokha] has committed a wrongdoing and he does not face the law,” he said. “He uses the supporters to back him, but the party will dissolve like Funcinpec if they continue like this.”

Following En’s induction into the party, KPP’s chief Sourn Serey Ratha said the newest member’s involvement with the CPP and CNRP did not concern him, given that the KPP had an “open door” policy for people who were dissatisfied with the two major political parties’ performance.