A government spokesman warned yesterday that legal action may be
taken against the opposition leaders if their “unlawful” campaign
rhetoric incites unrest.Tith Sothea, spokesman for the Council of Ministers’ Press and Quick
Reaction Unit, said that the government will consider filing complaints
against Cambodia National Rescue Party leader Sam Rainsy and deputy
leader Kem Sokha for their attacks on Prime Minister Hun Sen during the
campaign for the May 18 council elections.“We have seen that [their campaign] is contrary to the law, such as
[their] warnings to oust Prime Minister Hun Sen from office. This hour
is not an hour of propaganda campaigns to choose or drop the prime
minister,” Sothea said.“The royal government can consider legal action if these activities cause danger or any obstacle for stability,” he warned.
Sothea said the pair should adhere to orders from the National
Election Committee (NEC) to refrain from personal attacks during the
campaign.But Rainsy said he is “not concerned” by the threats.
“It is freedom of speech, as long as what we say is backed by evidence,” he said last night.
“Have you ever seen any election campaign where no party attacks
another party? As long as we have grounds to do this, we will,” he
added.Rainsy’s comments followed a day of campaigning in Siem Reap
yesterday in which his deputy, Sokha, slammed Hun Sen’s governance in a
speech to hundreds of supporters.“He knows nothing at all; he knows only watching Chinese film and
taking Chinese theory to lead the country,” Sokha said. “The first, buy;
the second, intimidate; the third, split.”He added that, with support waning, the premier would be better off stepping down and letting the CNRP lead the country.NEC secretary-general Tep Nytha told the Post that criticism
of the opposing party’s political platform will continue to be
tolerated, while attacks on individuals are considered illegal.If a party member files a complaint over a personal attack, it will be dealt with through the law, Nytha said.
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