Despite Exile, Sam Rainsy Named Opposition Choice for Prime Minister

Sam Rainsy remains in exile abroad, found guilty on a number of criminal charges that make him ineligible to run in the July election.

08 March 2013
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

PHNOM PENH - Officials for the new opposition say they will appoint Sam Rainsy as candidate for premier, despite his exile, if they are victorious in July’s election.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party, which held a meeting in Singapore this week, will make Kem Sokha, currently the head of the minority opposition, the National Assembly president, if it wins a majority in the parliamentary polls.

Sam Rainsy remains in exile abroad, found guilty on a number of criminal charges that make him ineligible to run in the July election.

That means he is also not legally eligible for the premier seat, political analyst Lao Mong Hay told VOA Khmer. “If his party wins the election, he still cannot be a candidate for prime minister, according to constitutional law,” he said.

Nevertheless, opposition officials believe a political settlement can be found to clear the way for Sam Rainsy’s return to politics, Kem Sokha, president of the Human Rights Party, told VOA Khmer.

US diplomats and other international and local observers say he should be allowed to contest the elections if they are to be considered free and fair.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan dismissed the opposition’s announcement as a political stunt, aimed at strengthening its negotiation for power sharing.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, meanwhile, has maintained there will be no political solution for Sam Rainsy, whose case remains a matter for the courts.

Cambodia:We are Women -- Hear us ROAR!

Celebrating being Women

 We should celebrate womanhood every day, but it's good to have an official reminder to do so today.
We are Women, hear us roar!

Theary with accomplished Khmer women of Phnom Penh at Bunleng's birthday party, including a former Secretary of State of the Foreign Ministry to a medical doctor with a degree from France (March 2013)

Recently at church, an amiable looking young man reminded everyone of the upcoming March 8, International Women's Day celebration for all the women there, "the day when the men gave rights to the women". 

Let me provide a gentle correction to this young man and everyone else, as it is not the first time I've heard a similar heresy, even among the women themselves. (Several years back I heard women teased each other that it is the one day they have the right to beat up the men.)

MARCH 8 is NOT the "day the men gave rights to the women."

Rather, March 8

is a day we set aside

to REMIND EVERYONE

(both men and women)

of the INALIENABLE

(not subject to sale or transfer; birth)

RIGHTS women have with the men

ALL THE TIME.

On this March 8, our hearts and prayers in particular go out to

the Khmer women who are suffering from:

domestic violence,

gang rape ("bauk"),

trafficking, and

violent land evictions.  (Go, Boeung Kak Women!)

Vietnamese test taboo on debating communist monopoly

Motorcycle-taxi driver is seen waiting for customers next to a row of communist propaganda posters in Hanoi, on March 5, 2013. When Vietnam's communist leaders asked for public comment on their plan to amend the country's constitution, they did not anticipate unleashing a fierce debate on the party's monopoly on power

Motorcyclists ride amongst red banners marking the 83th anniversary of the foundation of the Vietnamese Communist Party, in Hanoi, on February 3, 2013. When Vietnam's communist leaders asked for public comment on their plan to amend the country's constitution they did not anticipate unleashing an unprecedented debate on the party's monopoly on power

03/08/2013
By Cat Barton
AFP News

"If one day I have to go to prison, I'm certain it will be a Communist prison, because I'm dying to be free"

When Vietnam's communist leaders asked for public comment on their plan to amend the country's constitution they did not anticipate unleashing an unprecedented debate on the party's monopoly on power.

What was supposed to be a ritualistic consultation has morphed into a fierce open discussion on topics like human rights and land ownership on everywhere from state television to dissident blogs.

The furore started when 72 respected academics submitted a petition in January through the National Assembly as part of the consultation process, calling for multiparty democracy, respect for human rights, private land ownership and an apolitical army that served the people not the party.

They also called for the abolition of Article 4, the clause that protects the party's power, and for a clear separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government -- revolutionary demands in the one-party state that have spread like wildfire online.

"Vietnamese from all walks of life, including party members, are calling for them to remove Article 4 from the constitution. It is necessary for the people and for the party itself," prominent dissident Nguyen Thanh Giang, one of those who signed the petition, told AFP.

By guaranteeing the party's supremacy, Article 4 has "led to corruption and abuse of power," and allowed the unaccountable leadership to become "totally removed from reality and an obstacle to Vietnam's development," he added.

Nearly 6,000 people have signed the petition so far -- the public consultation period on the reforms ends on March 31 -- and it has even found support among a section of the Communist Party itself.

Deputy minister of justice Hoang The Lien even called for more controls on party power "to fight against the abuse of power and monopoly," during an online discussion organised by the government.

The leaders have not yet made any specific proposals themselves on what changes they would like to make to the constitution, which was first approved in 1946 and has been amended four times since -- most recently in 1992.

Founded in 1930, Vietnam's Communist Party led the country to independence from the French and then to victory over the Americans in a decades-long bloody war.

It has ruled unified Vietnam as a one-party state since 1975. The party tightly controls public debate and routinely imprisons dissidents who question the political system or call for change.

Some 25 years after the party initiated market reforms, Vietnam is mired in an economic slowdown, which experts and public opinion blames on mismanagement. This has caused an unprecedented erosion of trust in the party leadership.

In a bid to seem progressive and legitimate, Vietnam's rulers regularly -- albeit as a token -- ask for public input on policy issues. But with public dissatisfaction high, the constitutional reform bill has touched a raw nerve.

"Vietnam is in uncharted waters," said Jonathan London, an assistant professor in the Department of Asian and International Studies at City University of Hong Kong, adding the leadership "has to be rattled".

"The true significance of recent developments lies not in whether they result in any immediate reforms, which is unlikely, but whether and to what extent they have resulted in an altered political landscape," he said.

The party has already hit back, with top leaders issuing stern warnings about those who seek to use the consultation process to "sabotage the party".

Officials have warned that there is no plan to allow private ownership of land -- a very sensitive issue as land disputes currently account for more than 70 percent of complaints by citizens to local authorities.

And when journalist Nguyen Dac Kien came out on his blog to criticise leaders -- in particular the head of the party who said seeking reform was a sign of "moral deterioration" -- he was fired from his state-run newspaper.

"If one day I have to go to prison, I'm certain it will be a Communist prison, because I'm dying to be free," he wrote in a poem called "Freedom" which, like his original essay, has gone viral online.

With support for Kien and the petition growing rapidly online, it appears the dissenting voices will not be silenced.

"We're 37 years late with political reforms," said former top government official Nguyen Trung, in an open letter to the leaders of Hanoi, referring to when the communist party took control of unified Vietnam.

Malay News:First ABU, now ABCD, and then what?

[ABU] in effect follows the framework that promotes the kind of decision making that uses blanket, all-or-nothing, blind support or rejection. Such a campaign breeds a longer term danger. It spurs more unthinking divisive positions and a precursor to civil hostility. Anas Zubedy In striving to make Malaysia a better nation we must be careful with the road taken. We must not sacrifice the journey for the goal, the means for the end. We need to change Malaysia in the right way towards the right goal. It may take a longer time and we may not be able to see the fruits of our labour but our future generations will profit from it. It is slow, but sure. Good and lasting change needs time to be cultured, we cannot be in a hurry. That is why on many occasions I have registered my disagreement with the ABU’s unthinking, irresponsible and destructive approach in choosing our MPs and ADUNs in the effort to advance Malaysian politics. The method in effect follows the framework that promotes the kind of decision making that uses blanket, all-or-nothing, blind support or rejection. Such a campaign breeds a longer term danger. It spurs more unthinking divisive positions and a precursor to civil hostility. Today this divisive scheme has given birth to another blanket stupidity, ABCD; Asalkan Bukan Cina DAP. I have seen this acronym popping in my FB threads and posts that belong to PAS supporters. This trend perhaps was triggered after CM Lim Guan Eng politicised the ‘Allah’ issue via his Christmas message. What if that ‘Cina DAP’ is better than the other candidates no matter what their background or ethnicity? Similarly, in the case of ABU, what if the UMNO candidate is the better choice? Aren’t we giving the other candidate a free ride? Will we be able to secure the best of Malaysians to be our lawmakers with this method? First ABU, now ABCD, and then what? Is this the way we want to go?

Malay News:Lahad Datu: Show of flower power at embassy

Give peace a chance: Sabahans Ronna Jaiwin, 38, (right) and Dayang Siti Salwani Awang Kasah, 36, placing bouquets of flowers in front of the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

KUALA LUMPUR: Flowers are being placed outside the Philippines Embassy at Jalan Changkat Kia Peng here as a symbol of hope for peace to return to Sabah. A 37-year-old IT technician from Kota Kinabalu placed a red rose outside the gates of the embassy here at 2.15pm. “My prayer is that there will be peace once again in Lahad Datu, Semporna and the rest of Sabah. “I hope we will no longer have to be afraid over the safety of our friends and family living there,” said the man who declined to be named. He said he had been following closely the recent events in his home state and that they weighed heavily on his heart. “When I read about this initiative on Twitter, I decided I would express my wish for peace in Sabah,” he said. The initiative, dubbed Ops Bunga, was started by blogger Joe Lee on March 6. Outside the embassy, Lee said the idea to “fight fire with flowers” was to call for peace and show appreciation to those at the frontline in Lahad Datu and Semporna. “We also wish to show our appreciation to the Philippine government for not supporting the intrusion and to tell Filipinos we can and should live together in peace,” he said. Actor Remy Ishak, who also placed a small bouquet at the gates, said his prayers were constantly with those at the frontline, including his younger brother. “I hope peace will be achieved soon so my brother and the rest can come home safely to their families,” an emotional Remy said. Thirty members of the United Sabah Suluk Association were also present at the event to deliver a memorandum to the Philippines ambassador. Its acting president Faisal Sisar said the memorandum called for the intruders to leave Malaysia immediately, and for self-proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to be brought and tried here. “Otherwise, we Suluks living in Malaysia will cut all ties with the Sulus in the Philippines,” he said, adding that there were about 800,000 Suluks in Malaysia.

Malay News: Lahad Datu: Injured VAT 69 commandos stable, says Deputy Home Minister Lee

The injured VAT 69 commandos, Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim (left) and Kpl Azman Ampong. IPOH: The condition of the two VAT 69 commandos who were injured in the clash with the Sulu gunmen in Lahad Datu and Semporna are stable. Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong said Kpl Mohd Tarmizi Hashim, 32, and Kpl Azman Ampong, 39, had received treatment at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital. “Doctors are observing their health progress and would decide on when to remove the shards of the disintegrated bullet from their body,” he told reporters after visiting the commandos at the hospital here on Saturday. Lee said Azman, who sustained injuries to his spine, would be transferred to the Lumut Naval Base for further treatment. “The naval base has the necessary medical equipments to treat his injuries more effectively,” he said.

Malay News: Anwar Sodomy II charges cooked up by PM’s office

The father of youth who said he was raped by Malaysian opposition leader says Najib’s office was responsible writes Asia Sentinel. The father of the youth who accused Malaysian Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy in 2008 apologized to Anwar at a press conference Friday and said the plot to have Anwar arrested was cooked up in the office of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak. Azlan Mohd Lazim, 60, accompanied by an official from Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat coalition, said his son, Mohamad Saiful Bukhari Azlan, had been used by what he said was “irresponsible quarters” and that statements that both he and his son gave to the press during and after the trial were written by his lawyer and a special officer in Najib’s office. The two were identified as attorney Zamri Idrus, and the special officer, Khairil Annas Jusoh. Anwar was acquitted of the sodomy charge in a Kuala Lumpur high court in January 2012 although government prosecutors are appealing the case, which has been dubbed Sodomy II. The appeal is to be heard on July 22. Anwar, in 1999 a prospective heir apparent to then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, was originally convicted in Sodomy I after he fell out with Mahathir and served six years in prison in a case that was universally viewed as cooked up to ruin his political career. “Anwar is innocent and a victim of this slander… as such I apologize to Anwar and his family,” Azlan said in a printed statement. “He and his family have suffered a lot as a result of this slander?I deeply regret all the slander hurled against Anwar, which involved my son Saiful Bukhairi.” Everything, he said, “was planned in great detail by a special officer in the PM’s Department. Even the script I read during the press conference after Anwar’s sodomy acquittal last year was prepared by this officer.” His son, he said, “himself has never explained the sodomy incident and the accusation to me. I was never called as a witness in the case. I was never called by any party to offer my statement as the father from the start to the end of the trial.”