A FORMERLY united opposition now appears split on whether to boycott this month's swearing in of the new National Assembly, with some politicians saying they will abandon their plans for a walkout if the King does not agree to a separate inauguration.

King Norodom Sihamoni has sent letters to the 123 parliamentarians-elect inviting them to the September 24 swearing in. But the Sam Rainsy Party, which is disputing the poll results, is standing by its request that the King hold a special ceremony for its lawmakers the following day.

"We cannot attend the swearing-in ceremony with CPP parliamentarians because they won many seats due to electoral irregularities.  I believe the Human Rights Party (HRP) will also not join in the meeting," said SRP Deputy Secretary General Mu Sochua.

But HRP Secretary General Yem Ponhearith said that if the King denied their request for a change of day, the party would follow his decision.

Koul Panha, executive director of the election monitor Comfrel, said the opposition request was unsuitable.