Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Two ex-CNRP officials regain political rights

Two ex-CNRP officials regain political rights

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Two separate royal decrees dated August 14 reinstated political rights for former parliamentarian in Kandal province Khim Laky and then-CNRP chief executive for Takeo province Mao Sophal. FRESH NEWS

Two ex-CNRP officials regain political rights

King Norodom Sihamoni has reinstated the political rights of two more former officials from the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Two separate royal decrees dated August 14 reinstated political rights for former parliamentarian in Kandal province Khim Laky and then-CNRP chief executive for Takeo province Mao Sophal.

They were among the 118 former CNRP leaders who were banned from participating in politics for five years when the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court on November 16, 2017.

Neither Laky nor Sophal could be reached for comment on August 16.

Cambodia Reform Party (CRP) founder Ou Chanrath – a former CNRP lawmaker for Takeo who has also had his political rights reinstated – said he expected that there would be many more former senior CNRP officials who will request political rehabilitation in the coming days.

Kin Phea, director of the Royal Academy of Cambodia’s International Relations Institute, was of the view that this quiet lead-up period to the 2022 commune council elections was an appropriate time for senior CNRP officials to request political rehabilitation.

However, he said it was not certain that all those who re-apply for political rights will actually be reinstated because in the past there had been applicants who were turned down on the grounds that they had not complied with the Supreme Court’s ruling.

As of August 15, a total of 26 former CNRP officials had been granted political rehabilitation by the King at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not