Cambodian gov't mulls strict measure against opposition chief over King insult

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PHNOM PENH, April 5 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian government said Saturday that it is going to take a firm measure against the country's main opposition leader Sam Rainsy over his offensive remarks on the nation's King Norodom Sihamoni.

"The government will consider a firm measure against Sam Rainsy, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in order to maintain and protect the motto: 'Nation, Religion, King' and national dignity," the government said in a statement.

The statement came after King Sihamoni wrote a congratulatory message to the National Assembly on Tuesday during the opening of the second plenary session after a three-month break.

In the royal message, the King said he hopes the parliament, which represents the entire Cambodian people, will take on the challenges it faces by strictly adhering to a democratic and multiparty basis.

A day later, Sam Rainsy appeared to disagree with the King's assessment.

In a letter to the King, Sam Rainsy said the National Assembly, formed on Sept. 23, 2013, has only the lawmakers from the Prime Minister Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP), and it does not represent the entire Cambodian people because the Constitution requires the swearing-in of 120 lawmakers to constitute a new mandate.

The government's statement on Saturday said Sam Rainsy's words have severely affected the King's reputation and violated the Constitution's Article 7 that stated that the King shall be inviolable.

"Sam Rainsy's remarks is an improper violation on the King and is the trampling on the 'rule of law' principle in Cambodia," the statement said, accusing Sam Rainsy of inciting the King to act against the Constitution.

"Such incitement has the same cost as a constitutional coup," it said. "Sam Rainsy's offensive act could face legal punishment. "

The government said according to the law, the National Assembly needs the quorum of a 50 percent plus one majority only.

Dispute between the Prime Minister Hun Sen's CPP and the Sam Rainsy's CNRP has simmered since the July election results showed that the CPP won 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for the CNRP.

Having boycotted parliament since September, the CNRP is demanding either a probe into election irregularities or a reelection, along with deep electoral reform.

However, Hun Sen has said that he will not call a reelection because it is unconstitutional.

http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=210878