What opposition?

Kem Sokha, the head of the Human Rights Party (HRP), recently stated that he would welcome any defector from the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) after Mao Monivann, an SRP MP, had done so and joined the HRP. Later it was clarified that he was expelled for non-conformism; that sure is a severe dereliction. Normally, opposition politicians defect to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) in the not so vain hope for plum jobs in the current power structure or sweet business deals.

At the same time, however, there are talks under way, currently stalled for several reasons, for the two opposition parties to merge so they can be a more formidable force in the next elections to be held in 2013. Kem Sokha’s invitation must have been a slap in the face of the SRP leadership. With his statement, he has shown a childlike naïveté. Who in his right mind would want to negotiate with such a back-stabber, that’s what it is called in other parts of the world? I guess even in the rough-and-tumble world of politics this is considered pretty much unacceptable and intolerable. It is no wonder then that the SRP doesn’t really want to share their bed with such an infantile megalomaniac.

But the SRP is no exemplary proponent of freedom and democracy in this Kingdom of Wonder either. As previously mentioned on this blog, they are rather headless right now. Sam Rainsy keeps calling from Paris espousing the same litany and travels all over the world pronouncing the imminent end of Hun Sen’s rule, using Libya as an example. Mu Sochua is equally absent many times traveling all over the world to all kinds of forums on behalf of her pet project – women’s rights, not that this is a bad thing per se, but it surely won’t help her party in Cambodia. Additionally, Sam Rainsy has been hit with another lawsuit in Cambodia – this time brought by Hor Nam Hong, similar to the one Hor Nam Hong brought in France. The only difference appears to be, if I read this right, the lawsuit here is criminal whereas in France it was civil. He errs too when he says he can’t be punished twice for the same matter. Anyway, all this has the trappings of dealing the final blow to His Excellency the Permanent Exile. One blogger, normally an ardent supporter of the SRP, even termed the current events in the party as self-destruction, accusing the second-tier leadership of being undemocratic, autocratic, self-dealing, favoritism, even of nepotism. Well, people who have followed my blog for some time will remember that back in 2009 I had quoted one Timothy S. Chhim, a Khmer-American attorney from New York, who had worked in the SRP election campaign and who had just brought forth those same observations. Are those SRP sympathizers finally waking up to reality?

Clearly, the opposition is in such great disarray, clueless of what to do, that they won’t even get that small number of seats in the next election unless, of course, they find a new leader who can put them back on the right course and who has appeal for the masses in Cambodia, not only for those geriatric overseas Khmer and xenophobes.

Here is a nice but late April fool’s Day hoax gleaned from Timothy’s blog:

Breaking NEWS FROM APFD news.

Fearing that Cambodia may turn to be Libya number 2 because of Sam Rainsy’s recent threat and prediction Hun Sen has decided to step down and is willing to leave the power to the brand new administration headed by the President of the United Cambodian Party.

The United Cambodian Party or UCP was formed freshly by leaders of all opposition parties to help rescue Cambodia from being swallowed by Vietnam.

Meanwhile many overseas Cambodians are busy applying for various positions including ambassadorial positions throughout the world.

The new president of UCP cannot be reached for comment.

AFPD News, of course, being April Fool’s Day News.