lenny.gentry9
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In multi-party nations, it is common for a political party to win or lose the general election. A party may win and become the ruling party (or create a ruling coalition) in one term but may be defeated in another and vice versa. Parties are taking turns to rule depending on the result of the election and basically maintain stable development in the country. Cambodia, however, is facing volatility after the 5th National arseembly general election held on July 28, 2013, mainly caused “a fuss” created by Sam Rainsy - leader of the opposition CNRP (Cambodia National Rescue Party).
According to preliminary results, although the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) got over half of the total seats (68/123), the CNRP also gained over their expectation (55/123) - almost double of what they achieved last term (in National arseembly election in 2008, Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party - the coalition of the current CNRP -gained 29 seats in total).
In an interview with Politique Internationale (La Revue no 139 - Printemps) of France before receiving amnesty on July 12, 2013, Sam Rainsy said he just wished to get 37 seats, enough to propose tp discredit the Prime Minister or 42 seats to be able to form a minority opposition. He also told Politique Internationale: Nous ne dirons pas “tout ou rien” (We will not say “all or nothing”), meaning his party is not planning to “get everything or lose everything” - he was humble and ready to cooperate and to share.
Yet, when CNRP got 55 seats (according to the preliminary result), although it did not go beyond half of the total votes but was viewed as a victory for CNRP, Sam Rainsy “dishonoured his word” and demanded to “take it all”.
Under the wizardry hand of Sam Rainsy, CNRP announced not to recognise the election result, asking for joint independence committee from the UN to inspect what they accused as frauds in the election. They even threatened to organise public demonstrations nation-wide if their complaints are not solved adequately.
On August 6, speaking before 5,000 supporters of CNRP at Liberal Park in Phnom Penh Capital, Sam Rainsy proclaimed that his party will not join forces with the ruling party CPP in any condition.
In the context when there are only two parties, CPP and CNRP, gaining seats in the new National arseembly, if CNRP of Sam Rainsy decides to boycott and not to cooperate with CPP to have this legislative body to be effective on time in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, instability is visible.
Under the amended Constitution of Cambodia, CPP is entitled to form a government if they can win the majority in the National arseembly (at least 50% + 1 seat). However, if the representatives of CNRP decide to boycott the result, it is impossible to call the first session of the new National arseembly (according to the current Constitution, the first session is valid only if two-thirds of the members are present).
The public worries about the current situation in Cambodia because Sam Rainsy keeps accusing the election as fraudulent, not independent, unfair, lack of democracy… as a pretext to attack CPP. Overthrowing “the system of Hun Sen” is a policy that Sam Rainsy’s opposition planned long time ago. In July 20 online report, BBC had a comment: Not being a candidate, yet Sam Rainsy participated in the election campaign to help his party to put an end to Hun Sen’s almost-30-year grasp of power”. However, the primarily result of the July 28 election shows that his party was unsuccessful in “terminating Hun Sen’s regime” through Cambodian voters. That is why he is “making a fuss”.
Political and social stability of the Kingdom of Cambodia is at risk. As a result, on August 7, the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni delivered a royal decree requesting CPP and CNRP, the two parties with representatives elected by the people, to discuss and seek a peaceful solution for post-election issues “for the ultimate benefit of the whole country, people and safeguarding peace, security of the nation”.
It is obvious that the King of Cambodia has to raise his voice in face of the risk of instability in the country.
Why didn’t Sam Rainsy think about a realistic fact that had it not been for the royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni at the request of the Prime Minister Hun Sen, he would have not been able to return to Cambodia on July 19 to participate in the campaign, thanks to which his party gained such a result?
According to the moral standard (in politics, there is still a moral standard), Sam Rainsy and CNRP must be grateful to King Norodom Sihamoni and PM Hun Sen because thanks to them he received a royal pardon. In return, he and CNRP should contribute to the stability and the development of the country, by accepting the election result and cooperate with CPP so that the new National arseembly may start on time according to the Constitution.
However, Sam Rainsy is acting on the contrary, he is swimming upstream, pushing the Cambodian to the risk of instability, creating fear among the people of Cambodia as well as foreign investors who are doing business in peace in the country.
His “against the flow” action manifests an ungratitude to King Norodom Sihamoni and PM Hun Sen.
According to preliminary results, although the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP) got over half of the total seats (68/123), the CNRP also gained over their expectation (55/123) - almost double of what they achieved last term (in National arseembly election in 2008, Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party - the coalition of the current CNRP -gained 29 seats in total).
In an interview with Politique Internationale (La Revue no 139 - Printemps) of France before receiving amnesty on July 12, 2013, Sam Rainsy said he just wished to get 37 seats, enough to propose tp discredit the Prime Minister or 42 seats to be able to form a minority opposition. He also told Politique Internationale: Nous ne dirons pas “tout ou rien” (We will not say “all or nothing”), meaning his party is not planning to “get everything or lose everything” - he was humble and ready to cooperate and to share.
Yet, when CNRP got 55 seats (according to the preliminary result), although it did not go beyond half of the total votes but was viewed as a victory for CNRP, Sam Rainsy “dishonoured his word” and demanded to “take it all”.
Under the wizardry hand of Sam Rainsy, CNRP announced not to recognise the election result, asking for joint independence committee from the UN to inspect what they accused as frauds in the election. They even threatened to organise public demonstrations nation-wide if their complaints are not solved adequately.
On August 6, speaking before 5,000 supporters of CNRP at Liberal Park in Phnom Penh Capital, Sam Rainsy proclaimed that his party will not join forces with the ruling party CPP in any condition.
In the context when there are only two parties, CPP and CNRP, gaining seats in the new National arseembly, if CNRP of Sam Rainsy decides to boycott and not to cooperate with CPP to have this legislative body to be effective on time in accordance with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, instability is visible.
Under the amended Constitution of Cambodia, CPP is entitled to form a government if they can win the majority in the National arseembly (at least 50% + 1 seat). However, if the representatives of CNRP decide to boycott the result, it is impossible to call the first session of the new National arseembly (according to the current Constitution, the first session is valid only if two-thirds of the members are present).
The public worries about the current situation in Cambodia because Sam Rainsy keeps accusing the election as fraudulent, not independent, unfair, lack of democracy… as a pretext to attack CPP. Overthrowing “the system of Hun Sen” is a policy that Sam Rainsy’s opposition planned long time ago. In July 20 online report, BBC had a comment: Not being a candidate, yet Sam Rainsy participated in the election campaign to help his party to put an end to Hun Sen’s almost-30-year grasp of power”. However, the primarily result of the July 28 election shows that his party was unsuccessful in “terminating Hun Sen’s regime” through Cambodian voters. That is why he is “making a fuss”.
Political and social stability of the Kingdom of Cambodia is at risk. As a result, on August 7, the King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni delivered a royal decree requesting CPP and CNRP, the two parties with representatives elected by the people, to discuss and seek a peaceful solution for post-election issues “for the ultimate benefit of the whole country, people and safeguarding peace, security of the nation”.
It is obvious that the King of Cambodia has to raise his voice in face of the risk of instability in the country.
Why didn’t Sam Rainsy think about a realistic fact that had it not been for the royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni at the request of the Prime Minister Hun Sen, he would have not been able to return to Cambodia on July 19 to participate in the campaign, thanks to which his party gained such a result?
According to the moral standard (in politics, there is still a moral standard), Sam Rainsy and CNRP must be grateful to King Norodom Sihamoni and PM Hun Sen because thanks to them he received a royal pardon. In return, he and CNRP should contribute to the stability and the development of the country, by accepting the election result and cooperate with CPP so that the new National arseembly may start on time according to the Constitution.
However, Sam Rainsy is acting on the contrary, he is swimming upstream, pushing the Cambodian to the risk of instability, creating fear among the people of Cambodia as well as foreign investors who are doing business in peace in the country.
His “against the flow” action manifests an ungratitude to King Norodom Sihamoni and PM Hun Sen.
