*Rainsy calls CPP a ‘Dictatorship’ in Scathing Facebook Post* Khmer Times/May Titthara | Tuesday, 26 January 2016 | 27 views
[image: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/files/news/20595/1453834925.jpg] Opposition leader Sam Rainsy speaks during a news conference at the CNRP headquarters. KT/Chor Sokunthea Opposition leader Sam Rainsy posted a harsh critique of the country’s ruling party on his Facebook page yesterday, calling the Cambodian People’s Party an “extreme” dictatorship that has held the country in poverty for four decades. “Only a change in leadership can make each country advance forward,” he said. “There has been no change for 40 years, and that is why Cambodia is still among the least developed countries, the poorest country, and a country governed by the worst dictatorship in the world.” Mr. Rainsy said he was optimistic that his party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party, will triumph in the 2018 election, pointing to the victories of liberal opposition parties in Myanmar, Venezuela, Argentina, Canada, and Taiwan. He emphasized that changing the political leadership is necessary to allow the country to advance. Mr. Rainsy is in self-imposed exile after a string of warrants were issued for his arrest at the end of last year. The first warrant was issued in mid-August of last year, based on an old defamation case lodged by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. Another two complaints were filed against Mr. Rainsy shortly afterward. Sok Ey San, spokesman for the CPP, said Mr. Rainsy’s comments were ludicrous. He dismissed Mr. Rainsy’s claim that the CPP is a dictatorship, pointing out that the party has won five “democratic” elections. “If this was a dictatorial regime, there wouldn’t be an election,” he said. “And if all poor countries were dictatorships, then there would be many more dictatorships.” Independent political analyst Chea Vannath said that the economic situation in Cambodia is not as dire as Mr. Rainsy said. While poverty continues to be a major problem for the country, Cambodia has made strides to address it, she said, while pointing out that though the country’s GDP has risen significantly in the last two decades, income inequality has grown as well. She also said that poor governance has led to the destruction of natural resources and forced some families in rural Cambodia into poverty. “The country is making progress, but problems such as the destruction of forest are still out of control,” she said, “because government officers refuse to take responsibility.” -- Best Regards, *Khmer Forum* *A place for sharing community events and public news.* -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to camdisc@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to camdisc-unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to camdisc+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
