Hun Sen Decries Opposition's Cambodia-Myanmar Comparison

[geovalin]

Neou Vannarin

November 12, 2015 5:15 PM

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA—

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has sharply criticized the opposition for comparing Cambodia’s democracy with that in Myanmar.

In a public speech and Facebook posts, he called Sam Rainsy, head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, a “traitor’s son,” saying the opposition leader often takes advantage of world history to attack the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

The prime minister said Sam Rainsy’s father, Sam Sary, plotted against Norodom Sihanouk while the late king was serving as prime minister in the 1960s.

The personal attack by Hun Sen is likely to increase political tension between the ruling party and the opposition, which are preparing for elections in 2017 and 2018.

Hun Sen wrote Thursday on his Facebook page that Cambodia and Myanmar should not be compared because of many differences.

"There is a difference in terms of political, regime, social economics, hardships and eases; even the number of elections is different: Myanmar has never had elections, while Cambodia has voted five times so far," he wrote.

He added that Sam Rainsy cannot compare himself to Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

“Your family line cannot be compared to Aung San Suu Kyi because one is a nationalist while another is a traitor. If there hadn't been any legal compromising, you would have still carried the name 'son of a traitor.' I was not the one who gave that name. It was the ... government of late King Norodom Sihanouk. You called me a dictator, but today I call you 'son of a traitor,' " he said.

The attack came a few days after the opposition leader compared elections in Cambodia with the recent one in Myanmar. Sam Rainsy said the landslide victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy “was a good news for all over the world, especially Cambodia.”

He added that the ruling party in Cambodia was attempting to curb free elections in the country in 2018 by creating troubles such as violence against CNRP lawmakers and amendments of the election law.

Full story: http://www.voanews.com/content/hun-sen-decries-opposition-cambodia-myanmar-comparison/3055313.html