Sam Rainsy: Cambodia in Uncertainty State Without Opposition

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The exiled leader of Cambodian opposition Sam Rainsy stated that Cambodia tends to face uncertainty without the opposition party ahead of the general election on July 29.

Sam Rainsy noted the position of country opposition has been stronger since the last 25 years which was seen in 2008 election where the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) obtained 26 parliament seats and other opposition parties gained three seats. However, the government dissolved the opposition parties.

“This is a significant change in the politics of Cambodia, but they (the government) criminalized me and tried to escort me. It is odd to conduct the election without opposition. Even though they dissolved the opposition, our spirits remain. We demanded Cambodia administration allow the opposition parties to participate in the election,” said Rainsy in his visit to Tempo office, Jakarta, April 16.

Other than Rainsy, Cambodia government has banned more than 118 opposition politician to do political activities for five years without any reason. Prime Minister Hun Sen aged 65, who has long served Cambodia for more than three decades, insisted to reign over the country until he is 90 years old.

Rainsy further mentioned that one of the reasons why rebellions take place in the Middle East countries is the dictatorship of the government, not democracy which is also occurred in Syria and Libya.

Suci Sekarwati