Friday, May 23, 2008
An article from KI-Media
22 May 2008 By Ros Sokhet Cambodge Soir Hebdo, Translated from French by Tola Ek
Eng Chhay Eang did not deny this information: “It’s a voluntary contribution from each candidate, and also the sole funding source of the SRP. Oknhas and other millionaires do not help us and our party is not corrupt.” He was not able to provide the total funding for the SRP election campaign. “However, in Battambang, where I am a candidate. It will be $110,000,” he revealed.
It is really fascinating to learn and understand the in depth of the issues on financial status and well being of each political party.
According to Mr. Cheam Yeap - a CPP member and chairman of the Finance and Bank committee of the National Assembly, unlikely other political parties [SRP, HRP, RNP and FUNCIPEC] where their party financial well being are relied totally on contributions from its members; however, we CPP has a well established special funds for this particular need [election campaign - presumed] and each of their provincial team is responsible for its own budget, plus any financial support[s] by Oknhas [presumed it was political donation], which of course would put CPP in financial good shape to embark on the election campaign.
Like wise in the west, where many businessmen and women, billionaires and millionaires and even if ordinary citizens did contribute to candidate[s] or political party for who they supported.
What really drew my attention is the so called "voluntary contribution" mentioned by Mr. Eng Chhay Eang.
The definition of "Volunteer" is came from Latin and can be translated as "Will - as in Doing something out of ones free will".
But according to the anonymous party officials that the so called "Volunteer Contribution" is subjected to the rank ones wish to appear on the candidate list and depend on the importance of their electoral zone and its geographic location ones need to come up with a contribution ranging between $20,000 to $50,000 and this would increase their chance of being elected [it is s huge advance laid-out without a guaranty whether or not the person would be elected to represent that particular constituency].
With such a huge amount [Volunteer Contribution] would lead people to think: -
1- This is the Fixed Price Contribution/A must to pay contribute ones have to come up with;
2- This is the price tag for the ranking ones wish to have;
3- Position or ranking is not about ones credential, ability or hardworks ones contribute to the party.
Where is the spirit of doing thing out of ones free will?
Mr. Eng Chhay Eang ought to be congratulated for being so wealthy and is able to contribute towards the so called Volunteer Contribution the amount of $US110,000 just to be on the top of the list for candidacy representing Battambang .
What a careful thought answer by Mr. Remy in replying to question - "There was no fixed amount but if the candidate is rich they give more".
In another word, you must be one among those rich candidates.
For yourself as the candidate for Phnom Penh, you have already estimated your required budget is ranging between $US 120K to $US 150K.
To be a politician in Cambodia is indeed a very expensive business, considering the salary each parlimentarian would earn [presumed on the high bench mark of $US 5K/month or $US 60K/year] which is much less than the so called "Volunteer Contribution", and farnkly said, my admiration to all [SRP, HRP, NRP and FUNCIPEC] politicians for their financial ability to tighthen their budget and able to save enough for the amount of Volunteer Contribution.
Hope all members' of political party/parties who need to contribute toward the so called "Volunteer Contribution" would be a wealthy ones or have a private business or second good paid job.
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