A Too Many "Play Safe Game"

Both parties have also confirmed they will proceed with their boycott of the swearing-in of the new National Assembly on September 24, but would join the Assembly the following day

Original and full story by Phnom Penh Post - Opposition-takes-vote-fight-abroad

What's a fascinate and careful planned strategy!

By accepting to take oath on the 25 September 2008 is to recognize the results of election so far then why bother to engineer the "Play Safe Game".

Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mr. Kem Sokha and elected members of SRP and HRP will proceed with their boycott of the swearing-in of the new National Assembly scheduled for 24 September 2008.

At the same time, to step up their opposition to the results of this year's election, Mr. Sam Rainsy and Mr. Kem Sokha decided to jet out last Wednesday on a crusade mission tour of Europe and USA in high hope to convince the foreigners [ I believe that foreigners will not sell themselves to the CPP if we take clear documents to show them] not to sell themselves to the CPP who is accused by SRP and HRP to engineer its landslide victory through the manipulation of voter lists prior to the July 27 poll.

On 2 September 2008, Mr. Sam Rainsy sent a letter to HRH King Norodom Sihamoni - informed his Majesty of his intention that his 26 delegates will refuse to take oath at the same time as the CPP elected representatives scheduled for 24 September 2008, however, want to take oath on the day after the parliamentary opening session [25 September 2008].

At the same time, Mr. Sam Rainsy has another plan on his sleeve, should the case refuse by his Majesty, Mr. Sam Rainsy and his delegates will go to a sacred place in front of the Royal Palace.

Here how this so called "play Safe Game" is being played at this very moment:-

1] Lobby the international community particular those who are signatories of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, is a prime and utmost motive for both Mr. Rainsy and Sokha's trip to Europe and USA, who are obliged under the agreement to assist Cambodia in election process and ensure that it shall be free and fair.

2] Mr. Sam Rainsy is well aware that his crusade would be an uphill battle due to the fact that EU has stated all along that election is failed short of key international standards and it's up to Cambodians whether or not to accept the results.

3] Mr. Sam Rainsy letter to HRH King Norodom Sihamoni is just to be on safe side than sorry should the crusade mission fail.

4] If His Majesty agreed upon Mr. Sam Rainsy's request [take oath the day after National Assembly's 1st session] then he has something to fall onto.

Politic shall not all about play safe game than feel sorry and put their supporters and followers in any kind of awkward position.

Politicians do really speak people's languages - the kind of languages that they think people want to hear but not necessarily reflect or match the great expectations of people who empowered the party want to see.

In the naked eye of million plus people who voted for the party [SRP & HRP], the dead-lock so far seemed to be a serious affairs Cambodia cannot tolerate any longer and desperately need to change for a better and greater democratic and transparent society but deep down it is a case of manipulation in which the followers and supporters of the party failed to see through.

By stepping their opposition to the results of this year's election is to show their supporters and followers, as well as Cambodia people; that SRP and HRP are deadly serious about any type of engineered manipulation for a landslide victory. This [action], of course; is indeed a good deed and in line with democratic principle.

By accepting to take oath on 25 September 2008, the day after the new National Assembly opening session, is said so far to recognize the election results however party is chosen to keep to themselves and not wanting to disclose to their followers and supporters. This [action] is nothing more than the party psychological and egoist game in getting the followers and supporters rally behind the party for now and hope that soon enough people will forget about it.

Word best describe for this particular scenario

What SRP & HRP Talk In Public and Do Behind The Closed Door Is Two Completely Different Affairs

Show of Unity & Voice of Solidairty: Where Would It Head?

My previous article "Merging - The Strong Force & Prominence Political Party" - a personal look into the effect[s] and impact[s] that might bring upon the SRP if the merging is to go ahead with its "Post Election Allies": Human Rights Party, Funcipec and Norodom Ranariddh Party.

There is a strong and clear indication that Funcipec would soon be the 1st party to break away from the pack - quote "Is ready to jump on board and be the junior partner in the 4th mandate government under the leadership of PM Hun Sen".

Now that the clouds of doubts on the possibility "Merging of Post Election Unity As An Imminence Political Party " are indeed disappeared in the far horizon, the remaining 3 political parties from its original pack of 4; shall by now have had in each individual mind and already figured out whether or not that the "Post Election Unity" is still well alive.

This time around the so called "Post Election Unity" has indeed lived a very short live comparing to the post election in 1998 & 2003.

One may now can say - What's a feeling and Adieu Post Election Allies and Unity!

Boycott: Is It The Best Solution?

By boycotting a swearing ceremony or the 1st session of the parliament would not change the course of any issue[s] concerned at the moment or potential future "Post Election Drama" which was seen and haunted its citizen for the last few elections or any future election[s] in years to come.

This [boycotting] is similar to the case of a boxer who deadly wants to have a recognition match but is unwillingly to get inside the ring.

The counting was now completed and the results were posted temporary pending any final complaint[s] against the tally by all political parties concerned.

According to the current figures released by the National Election Committee, 6,010,277 actual voters or 75% of the original 8,125,529 registered and eligible voters have turned out to cast theirs ballot on the election day, comparing to the turnout rate of 83% in 2003, in 1998 - 94% and 90% in 1998 and 1993 respectively.

The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) received 3,492,374 or 58.1% while the opposition Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) received 1,316,714 votes or equivalent to 21.90%. The remaining nine parties split the rest - Human Rights Party (HRP) and Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP) and FUNCIPEC respectively won 397,816, 337,943 and 303,764 votes or is equivalent 6.61%, 5.62% and 5.05%.

On Friday [08/08/2008] lawmakers from SRP, Norodom Ranariddh Party and the Human Rights Party, a combined seat of 31 among them, held a press conference and announce of its intention to boycott the swearing in of new parliamentarians on August 24 claiming that up to 1 million voters were unable to find their names on polling day on July 27, which is compromising the fairness of the elections.

However, Prime Minister Hun Sen, quote "the ceremony will go ahead regardless", despite some constitutional experts have disputed the legality of this move.

Based on the SRP sensivity analysis and yet controversial self-calculated method, CPP would have on 77 seats (instead of 90 as wrongly proclaimed by the NEC), while SRP, HRP, NRP and FUCNIPEC would have 35, 7, 2 and 2 seats respectively (instead of 26, 3, 2 and 2), which also echoed as a concern by the leader of the EU observers - Mr. Martin Callanan, who once stated that "50,000" voters were left off rolls however that would not have greatly affected the election since early results show a large majority for the CPP.

According to Committee for Free and Fair Elections' [Comfrel] estimation there were 57,000 names were deleted from the rolls ahead of election - the numbers were in line with Mr. Martin Callanan's estimation. The organization also recorded another 1,148 cases of name omission in 17 municipalities and provinces, sometimes with as many as 50 or 100 names missing in one case.

Let say that 100 names were deleted in each case, there were 1,148 cases [recorded by Comfrel] then the numbers of names deleted would be 114,800, therefore total people deleted from the rolls shall be 171,800 [and that is including the 57,000 names estimated by Comfrel].

The numbers [171,800] are indeed much lower that the numbers estimated/claimed by SRP and its allies.

If my understanding is right, this time the boycotting of the swearing in ceremony of new parliamentarians is much to do with the 1 million people who could not cast theirs vote on the election day.

1 million people is quite big in population wise, however, 1 million in voting proportion-sharing wise is not that drastic at all. Nevertheless the numbers of people could not cast theirs vote is remained unchanged.

Based on the SRP sensitive analysis and self-calculated results, clearly suggesting that the 1 million people who could not vote on the election day is to divide between the SRP and HRP only. and therefore if NEC to re-adjust its result based on that scenario then SRP is said to have extra 9 seats up from 26 to 35 while HRP is said to have 4 up from 3 to 7 as proclaimed by the NEC.

My question is "Why and How" one is so sure that these 1 million people, if theirs name were not stroked off the rolls, are indeed the supporters of two particular political parties only.

Is there any concrete evidence[s] and logical explanation to justify such a claim?

If one side of the equation could easily make such a claim then the other side of the equation [9 political party concerned] would surely can say the same thing or present theirs method of calculation.

The truth is in the hand of those 1 million people and none of the political party could ever pre-sense or so sure that those ballots would indeed go to this or that particular party due to the fact that majority of voters would never want to reveal their identity, make their intention heard publicly, isn't it the case?

I do recall that ever since the rejection of election result, SRP has publicly announced and called upon each individual [if not all 1 million people] to come forwards with a promise of US$ 50 reward so that SRP and its ally could have a legal and legitimated point to argue with NEC on alleged claim of vote rigging and that it is in fact they were theirs supporters and they would definitely vote for the SRP and HRP.

By all means, it is a democratic way and act that all political parties concerned shall protest against any election result on ground of a lawful act in according to the election law. However, if this [protest] is indeed a case of and that because one party is said to believe and claim that the deleted names are surely their supporters or potential supporters then there is, of course, no concrete evidence[s] or logical explanation to justify such a protest.

By boycotting a swearing ceremony or the 1st session of the parliament would not change the course of any issue[s] concerned at the moment or potential future "Post Election Drama" which was seen and haunted its citizen for the last few elections or any future election[s] in years to come.

This [boycotting] is similar to the case of a boxer who deadly wants to have a recognition match but is unwillingly to get inside the ring.

Parliament is the actual legal and lawful ring where all law makers shall have their match and bout - pushing/proposing for any amendment of bill[s] and law[s] in particular the "Election Law", put each other under microscope - checks and balances and to pressure the ruling party/government to perform better.

30% in margin is really a big gap between the "Winner and Runner-up" and according to Mr. Martin Callanan - "This would not have greatly affected the election since early results show a large majority for the CPP".

It is time that politicians from all equations shall have "Political Will", particularly, the "Opposition Party[ies]" to stand up and concede defeat then move on.

5 years seems a long way to go for another shot at the top job but in fact it is too short [time] if one failed to look back at what went wrong [during this election] and do their best to get the party's platform and policy ready on time for the election.

Merging - The Strong Force and Prominence Political Party?

Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Opposition party merger considered
Tuesday, 05 August 2008
Written by Meas Sokchea



Click here for original and full story Combined parties could compete with dominant CPP

As election results look increasingly likely to confirm a landslide victory for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), civil society groups have begun suggesting that the Kingdom’s main opposition parties merge in a bid to better complete with the ruling party.

If the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), Human Rights Party (HRP) and Norodom Nanariddh Party (NRP) enter into a coalition, they could pool their political power. - they are a good-looking competitor with the CPP because they have equivalent force,” Thun Saray said.

“We could merge into one big vote in parliament, but we have not yet talked about one big party. But we have much optimism to merge,” Mu Sochua said.

Chea Vannath, an independent analyst and former director of the enter for Social Development, said the parties should join to help develop the country

Chan Sophal, president of the Cambodian Economic Association, also said merging is an important point for the three parties because it would make them stronger -that a merger would make it easier on voters, explaining that instead of dividing the electorate, it could make for an easier decision to cast a ballot for a single party.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Mr. Sam Rainsy and Mr. Kem Sokha are not stranger to each other, in fact, they were once belonged to the powerful political party - Funcipec who won the majority of vote during the 1993 election, before going separated way.

I would like to be optimistic that three gentlemen mentioned could come to a mutual and fruitful conclusion - merging as the "Strong Force" and the "Prominence Political Party"; however, I cannot to stop thinking that it could be realized within the near future.

Powerful Vs Weaker

With just three election under its bell, the SRP's popularity as the main Opposition Party has surely and steadily gained its ground and momentum [supports among the working class and youths] despite the mass defection just before the election.

HRP may be a new kid on the block but its President Kem Sokha is not a stranger to his followers and the current supports as the voice of Democracy.

NRP was established not too long ago before the election, after being booted out from Funcipec with votes of no confident and allegation regarding the sale and pocketing money. Surely, the supporters of Prince Norodom Ranarridh did not forget or give him up.

The Risks

From my personal level and point of view, whether or not the three political parties would finally emerge as a stronger political party to contest in any future election, there would inevitablely be certain risk[s].

1] Two out of three parties are under the personal name and banner while HRP is unique in its own way [Human Rights in which people wished and dreamed that one day Cambodia will finally have and deserve to its fullest], therefore the name of the potential future created new party would be a sticky point.

Are all sides of the equation well-prepared and willing to scrap its party name for this particular cause?

2]Should the leader of each individual party fail to consult with its members and to table any fine prints of the draft agreement [particularly power-sharing and quota] prior to the merging, would warrant the stirs of emotions and movements across the floor within the individual party; in particular the SRP - senior members who are there with the party in good and bad times.

3] For fact, many SRP members and supporters [youths in particular] are not happy with Prince Norodom Ranarriddh's behavior towards the alliance they have twice witnessed during the 1998 and 2003 post election.

4] A coup within the party would be a possibility and within reach if a fair and opened democratic challenge to the leadership role would not be allowed under the agreement.

Conclusion

Among the three parties, SRP and Mr. Rainsy himself would have a hard task ahead of him in convincing, not only his members but all the supporters nation wide and abroad particular the youths [from all walks of life] who are the main core of his success so far.

Just put fingers cross that my naive way of thinking prove me wrong but this is a serious juggling - "Balance between unity for a cause with uncertainty future and the high risk to pay for the possibility of losing both physical and financial supporters inside and outside the country".

The Dejas Vu Drama: Post Election Road-Show of Solidarity

Dejas Vu Drama

Well, I must say that this is not something new or unusual about such a particular action when the opposition and minority parties are gathering together soon after the election was over and the official result of the election is yet to be announced, hand in hand and they has once again showed their solidarity's strength - "We rejected the Election Result", we asked that the "International Community not to recognize the Election Result" and there shall be a "Re-election".

This dejas vu drama was seen during the post election in 1998 and 2003 respectively when the so called road-show of solidarity between Prince Norodom Ranariddh and H.E Sam Rainsy was indeed very short live of the grand expectation; if not all but a handful of their members and supporters that it would last forever.

Funcipec, under the then astute leadership of Prince Ranariddh; was invited to be the junior partner in the Royal Government, and was given a prominent position as the Head of the National Assembly. H.E was left in the cold and ended up to sit on the opposite site of the house as the Opposition Leader. Indeed, there was no hard feeling between us [Prince and Sam Rainsy] but this choice would avoid further "Constitutional Crisis" in which Cambodia can't afford to.

The Failure
If one can remember that not too long, Mr. Mom - the owner of the Beehive Radio Station, had offered himself to host and his valuable airtimes if all the political parties [SRP, HRP, NRP and Funcipec] concerned would like want to voice their pro-con on the merging or forming of a strong political allies to contest in the July 27 election.

Well, three political parties were really keen on the idea and wish to debate about the issues, to have their voices broadcast to millions of potential supporters who are residing in the remote regions nation wide but H.E Sam Rainsy would not bite on the idea and insisted that Prince Ranariddh shall firstly come clean with his law suit brought against him by his former party on alleged charges of "Breach of Trust" for selling and pocketing money from the sale of the former Funcipec Head Quarter. Ever since then and particularly during the long month campaign, "SRP, HRP, FUNCIPEC, and NRP were claimed and counter-claimed that their respective party would win at least 50% of the necessary votes and would be emerged as the winner.

Well, now that the pre-result of the election has otherwise proved that they were losers.

[Refer to my previous blog - Cambodia Election 2008 - Prediction]

It's a "No Deal" [Merging]

I would like to be an optimistic however I can't stop thinking that "The merging of all [FUNCIPEC, NRP, SRP and HRP] political parties as a strong and effective Opposition Party is something within reach.

For facts that [if one have to observe and take into consideration the floowings]:-

a] Each individual party leader is failing to have any frank and honest dialogue to sort out their differences.

b] Each individual party leader is and always will have a negative and naive thought about each other.

c] Each individual party leader is and will always claim that each everyone of them is better than the other - everyone prefers the leadership role on ground of personal ambition rather than looking into the ability and credentials they can contribute into the party.

d] they are failing to address the main cores and needs for the merging - to win the election.

Well, it would not be a bad idea after all that each individual party shall remain the way they are if they can't sort out their differences and see the potential of being a strong Opposition Party to contest and pose a real challenge in the future election.

Party Profiles: An Election Rundown

Courtesy of Phnom Penh Post

Written by Meas Sokchea and Sebastian Strangio

Friday, 11 July 2008

Eleven political parties will contest this month’s general election. The Post’s Meas Sokchea and Sebastian Strangio take a look at party structures and policies as Cambodians weigh their options ahead of national polls on July 27.

Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP)

Founded: October 2006 - President: Norodom Ranariddh, 64.

Political Platform: Formed by ousted Funcinpec leader Prince Norodom Ranariddh, the party pledges to “preserve royalism” and strengthen the institution of the monarchy; preserve the Khmer race and its culture, religion and language; “absolutely resolve” the issue of illegal immigration; and protect Cambodian sovereignty. If elected, it also promises to lower food, fuel and electricity prices; eliminate corruption and land-grabbing; reform the judiciary; abolish motorbike taxes and taxes on small businesses; construct paved rural road networks; institute a tax on unused land; provide free health care to the poor; establish free primary and secondary education; and raise minimum wages for factory workers.Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces.

Khmer Democratic Party

Founded: March 1998- President: Uk Phourik, 63.

Political Platform: To comply with the Constitutional law and promote the rule of law; promote respect for democracy and human rights; promote market economic policies and gain the support of national and international financial institutions; promote human resource development, employment and salary increases; fight corruption; eliminate anarchy, terror, thievery, drug and human trafficking and forest crimes; and preserve Cambodia’s cultural heritage and social morality.Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces. Won 1.9 percent of the vote in 2003, but no seats in the National Assembly.

Democracy Party

Founded: March 2006 - President: Khem Veasna, 37.

Platform: To defend Cambodia’s independence, sovereignty, and territory integrity; create laws and mechanisms to fight corruption; take action against illegal land-grabbing; increase salaries of civil servants and soldiers; adjust the school curriculum by adding elements of moral education relating to the Cambodian national conscience; focus on the development of border and rural areas; crack down on crime and reform the judiciary; limit the Prime Minister to two terms in office, and prevent him from creating a personal bodyguard unit and living in a residence provided by the state.Candidates: 123 titular in all 24 cities and provinces.

Cambodian People’s Party (CPP)

Founded: June 28, 1951 - President: Chea Sim, 76.

Political Platform: According to the CPP’s official platform, the party “has determined to protect the Constitution, to maintain the regularity and the efficiency of the Royal Government, to enlarge the pluralist liberal democracy and the respect of human rights in order to build up the country as a State of Laws.” The main economic policies of the CPP are “the creation of favorable conditions for the reform of the Cambodian economy… having the qualifications to be successively integrated into the world economy,” and “the establishment of thousands of schools, [construction of] rural roads, development centers, ponds, wells, hospitals, Buddhist temples and Muslim mosques… These are the tasks which had been done, are being done and continue to be done for ever by the CPP.”Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces. Won 47.4 percent of the vote in 2003, resulting in 73 seats in the National Assembly.

Khmer Anti-Poverty Party

Founded: September 2007 - President: Daran Kravanh, 51.

Platform: The party’s main aim is to reduce poverty, protect land titles, fight corruption, increase the salary of the civil service and armed forces and to eliminate deforestation and the depletion of the Kingdom’s natural resources. It also pledges to defend Cambodia’s territorial integrity from the power of any foreign tyrant leader, and to create four new ministries: the ministries of Anti-Corruption, Job Seeking, Disabled People, and Welfare & Social Work. In coalition with the Society of Justice Party.Candidates: 120 in all 24 cities and provinces.

Khmer Republican Party (KRP)

Founded: March 2005 - President: Lon Rith, 46.

Political Platform: The party pledges to uphold the republican ideals of the Khmer Republic, established by the March 1970 coup d’état of General Lon Nol, father of current KRP president Lon Rith. It also stands for national unification; reconstruction of the nation; the defense of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity; and increases in the standard of living for all Cambodians. Unlike Lon Nol’s Khmer Republic, however, the KRP does not advocate the abolition of the monarchy. Candidates: 73 in nine provinces and municipalities: Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom.

Society of Justice Party

Founded: August 2006 - President: Ban Sophal, 51.

Platform: The party promises to promptly amend the Constitution to restrict an individual to two terms as Prime Minister; ensure that political parties cannot arbitrarily dismiss lawmakers; ensure that the courts are independent of any political control; support the royalist regime; resettle illegal immigrants; settle border disputes to regain Khmer territory; eliminate corruption without waiting for the anti-graft draft law; cut down the inflation rate and manage oil and gas transparently by encouraging Cambodian students to study in countries which are experienced in oil resource management. In coalition with the Khmer Anti-Poverty Party.Candidates: 46 in seven provinces and municipalities: Battambang, Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Phnom Penh, Pursat, Siem Reap, and Kampong Chhnang.

Funcinpec

Founded: February 1992 - President: Keo Puth Rasmey, 56.

Political Platform: According to its party platform, “Funcinpec Party is a royalist and Sihanoukist party that carries on from the Funcinpec Front, a movement to liberate the nation under the initiation and leadership of Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk… Funcinpec adheres to the national Constitution and follows free market principles. Funcinpec promotes national development in all fields. It encourages and facilitates foreign investments, especially in the fields of agriculture, agro-industry, handcrafts, tourism and commerce. Funcinpec promotes total literacy. Funcinpec endeavors to develop human resources to the highest quality including attracting foreign aid in training abroad. Funcinpec promotes… the health of the people by making programs to construct hospitals in all areas, rural and urban.”Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces. Won 20.7 percent of the vote in 2003, resulting in 26 seats in the National Assembly.

Sam Rainsy Party (SRP)

Founded: November 1995 (formerly Khmer Nation Party) -President: Sam Rainsy, 59.

Political Platform: In its paper “100 Measures to be Implemented by an SRP Government,” the party pledges to adhere to the nation’s democratic principles, promote human rights, secure an “independent and clean judicial system,” to curb violence, provide free health care and education to the poor, prohibit the confiscation of land and establish a social security safety-net. It also plans to increase the salaries of teachers, civil servants and soldiers, to wage a war against corruption and to promote economic growth as a long-term means of reducing youth unemployment. Finally, the SRP plans to ensure a “clear separation between the State and the ruling party,” and to “prevent… state revenues from being diverted into the ruling party’s coffers.”Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces. Won 21.8 percent of the vote in 2003, resulting in 24 seats in the National Assembly.

Hang Dara Democratic Movement Party

Founded: May 2002 - President: Hang Dara, 56.

Political Platform: Support the royalist regime; resettle illegal immigrants; settle border disputes to regain Khmer territory; smash tyrants and corrupt officials; improve Khmer living conditions through extensive access to health and education; eliminate corruption via the adoption of an anti-graft draft law; promote local produce; and establish inter-ministries to manage oil and gas deposits transparently.Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces. Won 0.3 percent of the vote in 2003, but no seats in the National Assembly.

Human Rights Party (HRP)

Founded: July 2007 - President: Kem Sokha, 55.

Platform: The HRP pledges to limit the prime minister to two terms; reform the electoral system; empower the public by establishing public forums between the people and government; quickly adopt and implement anti-corruption laws to international standards; require the prime minister to declare the extent of his personal property; set up independent human rights institutions at the national level, to defend human rights; encourage civil servants of all classes to serve the people responsibly and punish those that fail to do so; reduce the number of deputy prime ministers, senior ministers, secretaries of state, governors and deputy governors, as well as advisors to the prime minister and his bodyguards; guarantee freedom of speech and the freedom to strike and take part in non-violent demonstrations throughout the country; encourage and support research institutions to independently survey people in order gauge the opinion of the people.Candidates: 123 in all 24 cities and provinces.

Cambodia Election 2008: Prediction

Clock is ticking faster and faster at this very moment.

The month long political campaign period is passed its half way mark and will be ended on the night of 26 July, since it started on June 26 2008. Cambodians will then go to the poll on the morning of 27 July 2008, to decide the fate of a person who will be assuming the Prime Ministerial post for the fourth mandate.

The first two weeks of the campaign, all candidates from respective political party and each political party shall have comprehensive ideas by now whether or not theirs platform and policies as well as campaign strategies are working to warrant vote[s] of confident from its own supporters and the potential supporters of either arch rival party. The most important thing of all is the true feelings of people in each individual constituency who they are standing and representing. The next 10 days would be the crucial moment for any political party. Any hidden agenda or policy is yet present to the people would not help steering the party to the great victory each political party would expect and claim.

Carefully reading through the article by Phnom Penh Post - "Party profiles: An election rundown, it appeared, despite each political party has its own unique political platform and policies, there are certain agendas in common amongst them all :- Preserve royalism, promote democracy & respect of human Rights, reform on Economy, alleviate of poverty, promote Rule of Law, provide free health cares to the poors, Etc.......

Majority of the minority political party has promised during the campaign, if their party is elected to the office, the 1st and utmost agendas for them will be:-

a] Amend the constitution - to limit the Prime Ministerial post to 2 terms of 5 years.

b] Take tougher approach[es] in tackling "Corruption and Corrupted Officers[s]"

c] Resolve the issues of illegal immigrantion.

d] Tackle inflation, foods, commodity and land issues

e] Reform the judiciary

f] Set minimum wage award for income earners [employees, civil servants, servicemen and women].

g] Reform on tax and excises Just to name a few.

The numbers of lawful registered political party that will contest in this up-coming election is much lower than the numbers in 1998 election. There are 11 in total as declared by the National Election Commission [NEC].

9 out of those 11 political parties have 123 candidates in all 24 provinces nation wide, except the Khmer Republican Party [KRP] and the Society of Justice Party who are concentrating in provinces and municipalities in the west and north west of the capital city Phnom Penh; have 73 and 46 candidates respectively in provinces and municipalities such as Prey Veng, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh, Kampong Chhnang, Battambang, Pailin, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kampong Thom Battambang, Kampong Thom, Banteay Meanchey, Phnom Penh, Pursat, Siem Reap, and Kampong Chhnang.

Foreign and local media, since the political campaign kicked off last month, have speculated and quoted that Prime Minster Hun Sen - one of the longest-serving leaders in South East Asia with 23 years in power - and his ruling Cambodian People's Party [CPP] are widely expected to win the poll.

It wouldn't be surprised at all that CPP could win enough seats [82 seats, based on 2/3 majority formula] to form a government by itself for the 1st time without having invited a minority party to be its junior partner [is higly tipped that Funcipec Party is the one CPP would invite to come on board should they can retain seats in the National Assembly].

Let look back at the 2003 result:-

CPP won 47.7% of the vote, while SRP won 21.8%, Funcipec won 20.7%, Hang Dara Democratic Movement Party [HDDMP] won 0.3% resulting in 73 seats, 24 seats, 26 seats and zero in the National Assembly respectively.

Prediction:

1] CCP will be emerged as the winner.

2] Funcipec would be the biggest loser of all - standing to loose a great deal. It would not be surprised that Funcipec will loose up to 2/3 of its current 26 seats to the majoirty and minority parties.

3] It would not be surprised that the 4th mandate would see the induction of one or two other minority party into the National Assembly [NRP, RNP and Hang Dara].

4] SRP will make it to the post and retain its current seats.

In according to Mr. Eng Chhay Eang and quote SRP will win up to 62 seats in the National Assembly [Major opposition party expects to win half votes in general election of Cambodia].

My personal point of view, this election will be the hardest contest and task SRP has ever been experiencing since the concept of its party and the last few elections.

My personal instinct would prove otherwise [contradict to Mr. Eng's claim] based on many factors:-

A] The mass defection of SRP former senior party members would definitely play a key part in this election.

B] The current shift in policy by the US State Department and IRI would certainly be another severe blow to SRP expectation.

Election 2008 - The Debate

An article from Ki-media

Click here for original and full story: NEC Issues Debate Questions to Parties

By Chun Sakada, VOA KhmerOriginal report from Phnom Penh05 June 2008

Click here to listen to the program in Khmer

The National Election Committee on Thursday issued a list of questions to all the competing political parties for July's general elections, in preparation for a series of roundtable debates to be held in the upcoming campaign period.

NEC Secretary-General Tep Nitha said each of the 15 questions was important for helping voters decide on which party might serve them best. The questions focus on:-

The economy, corruption, natural environment, tourism, social
security, justice, immigration, rule of law, public
health, land disputes, foreign
policy, prostitution, drugs, international borders, rights
of women and children, rural development, poverty reduction
and education.

First of all, my sincere and due respect to:-

The National Election Commission, all political parties who will be participated in the debate, the particpants; in particular, the RGC for taking this historical step forward and for making this round table debate possible.

This is the 1st time ever since the 1993 general elections, that political parties' representatives would sit together at the same table and, face each other and face the crutinized questions from participants and voters.

Now, the voters would have the chance to pose questions, to have the comprehensive and 1st hand thought and insigth to each individual political party's policy and platform.

Voters should take this opportunity and wisely to cast theirs vote on the election day.

Financial Matters and Volunteer Contribution

Friday, May 23, 2008

An article from KI-Media

Click here for original and full story What the parties spend for the general election

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.