CNRP politician defects to CPP

CNRP politician defects to CPP

Phnom Penh Post Weekend | 14 February 2015

An opposition lawmaker elected at the 2013 election to represent Kampot province has resigned from his position and joined the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

Van Sam Oeun, a 67-year-old Cambodian-American, sent a letter of resignation to National Assembly president Heng Samrin and first deputy president Kem Sokha yesterday.

In the letter, Sam Oeun said he was resigning because he had not been able “to serve our country according to my will and my experience” as a Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmaker.

CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann confirmed the resignation but could not explain the reason.

Sovann said it was too early to say who would replace Sam Oeun in the National Assembly.

CPP spokesman Chhim Phal Virun confirmed Sam Oeun had joined the CPP but said he had not been lured with a lucrative position or any promised benefits.

“We are really proud of him and appreciate his decision,” he said.

Sam Oeun, a former member of Kem Sokha’s Human Rights Party, could not be reached.