Cambodian Prime Minister warns CNRP leaders not to slander

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned opposition leader Sam Rainsy against his words and actions that distort the government.

In recent days, at meetings with supporters in South Korea and Japan, President of the Cambodian Opposition Party Sam Rainsy stated: "The ruling party (CPP) in Cambodia does not want to hold Cambodian National Assembly elections in 2018 due to concerns about the failure of the ruling party in Myanmar."

A rare meeting between Prime Minister Hun Sen's family and Sam Rainsy's family.

Previously, Mr. Sam Rainsy had also made similar statements to smear the ruling party for political gain. Reacting to these statements, Prime Minister Hun Sen said that Mr. Sam Rainsy intended to divide, cause national disunity, and destabilize the country.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that recently, the Government has made many efforts to reform the Election Commission, inviting European and Japanese experts to Cambodia to train on modern elections and digitize voter lists.

Currently, the Election Committee has been put into operation under the guidance and supervision of European and Japanese experts. The plan for the election of Commune and Ward Councils in 2017 and the National Assembly election in 2018 is still taking place as planned, without any changes.

Opposition Party President Sam Rainsy's statement violated the crime of slander and defamation of the Government as stated in the Penal Code, which is eligible for conviction.

Prime Minister Hun Sen noted that if Mr. Sam Rainsy continues to say these things, the law will be enforced: “I suggest that Mr. Sam Rainsy be very careful when making statements that slander the Government. The Government will enforce the law if he continues to say such baseless statements.

Mr. Sam Rainsy has previously fled abroad to live in exile and I have requested amnesty twice. I think it will be difficult for him to leave the country this time.”./.

According to VOV