Dozens of young people claiming to be upset by a recent infidelity scandal involving Kem Sokha yesterday submitted a petition to the National Assembly calling on the CNRP acting president to respond to the accusations.

Citing moral outrage, the group’s leader Srey Chamroeun, said in an interview that he wanted “Mr Kem Sokha to clarify whether it was true or it has been set up”.

However, the interview was cut short when an older man with a walkie-talkie – who declined to comment on his role – quickly ushered Chamroeun away and into a waiting Lexus.

Sokha has been accused of having an affair with hair salon worker Khom Chandaraty based on recorded phone conversations, purportedly featuring the two talking intimately, leaked on social media.

The CNRP leader hasn’t responded directly to the recordings, while Chandaraty, known on Facebook as “Mon Srey”, has denied it’s her in the leaks.

Police are investigating the leak after prominent anti-government activist Thy Sovantha, who is referred to in the tapes, lodged a defamation claim.

Yesterday, protester Mey Mengsea denied the group had a hidden agenda or “financial support from any party”.

However, at least one demonstrator was unaware of what the group hoped to achieve. “I just came with my friends . . . I do not know why we are here,” Chhin Kakada, 17, said.

Meanwhile, workers at Khmer Angkor Barber, where Chandaraty worked and Sokha was a client, said they were shocked by the leaks. One, declining to be named, said there was no suspicion the pair might have been involved but said it sounded like her colleague’s voice.