Kem Sokha (photo credit: Mao Chandara's Facebook)

Cambodia opposition leader removed from legislative post

AP / The Hindu | 30 October 2015

A senior leader of Cambodia’s opposition party was stripped of his post as the vice-president of parliament in an unexpected vote Friday attended only by the ruling party, and condemned by his supporters as illegal. 

The removal of Kem Sokha by a 68-0 vote was the result of manoeuvring by Prime Minister Hun Sen to get rid of his most bitter critic. The vote was not on the National Assembly’s agenda. 

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party members were taken aback when the vote on a motion to remove Kem Sokha was announced. All 55 of its lawmakers in the 123-member house decided to boycott the vote in protest. Kem Sokha was not present in the house. 

Describing the vote as “unlawful,” CNRP spokesman Ou Chanrith said it contravenes the constitution and democratic principles. 

“A vote that no one expected is unacceptable,” he said, adding that Kem Sokha’s post cannot be vacated unless he dies or he himself resigns. 

In recent months, Hun Sen has used his public speeches to deliver what amounts to arrest orders, which are generally carried out quickly. 

One such speech resulted in the arrest and subsequent trial of a CNRP senator, Hong Sok Hour, over comments he posted on Facebook criticizing a 36-year-old border agreement with Vietnam. He faces up to 17 years in prison.