TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Cambodian government will oversee and control the contents of online media news under the pretext in preventing state instability. The statement was announced by the government to control the information circulating ahead of elections in July.

Prime Minister Hun Sen from the ruling party and his coalition has pressed criticism against the Cambodian government, including independent media, human rights advocacy groups and opposition figures ahead of the voting on July 29.

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The staff from three ministries will oversee the news content, writing, audio, photos, videos, and other media forms that could lead to instability, the government said on June 5.

The supervision requires the Internet service providers to install filters or site blockers or social media accounts that violate the law.

The government stated the rule is to control the content that could undermine national defence and security, as well as to maintain diplomatic relations with other countries, public security, discrimination and culture, and national traditions.

The supervision becomes contradictory, as Cambodia has been the country with the greatest media openness in Southeast Asia, but now the pressure on critical media is increasing ahead of the elections. The sale of The Phnom Penh Post as the last independent media in Cambodia to the pro-government entrepreneurs, bury the media freedom in Cambodia.

The Cambodian General Election Commission is required to remain neutral in the elections. The UN Human Rights Division delegation for Cambodia said the elections would not be fair without the participation of the Cambodian National Savior Party (CNRP) as the main opposition that had been banned in Cambodia last year, as reported by VOA.

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The government stated the ban of CNRP for allegedly coup the Prime Minister Hun Sen, although there is no solid evidence to support government allegations.

Chairman of the Cambodian General Election Commission, which appointed by the Cambodian People's Party, Sik Bunhok, said that elected officials must cooperate against the propagandists who doubt the Cambodian elections. The Cambodian General Election Commission declared a campaign period beginning on July 7 and the voting on July 29.

EKA YUDHA SAPUTRA