Hun Sen Won’t Help to Replace You Hockry

­­Not wanting to interfere in “another party’s internal affair,” CPP parliamentarians will most likely abstain from voting for a new Funcinpec co-minister of in­terior if current co-Minister You Hockry is ousted, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Wednesday.

Hun Sen, speaking on Radio Free Asia, said he will try to find the two-thirds majority in the Na­tional Assembly to find a replacement for You Hockry. However, he added it is really the decision of assembly members.

“The problem is with the Na­tion­­al Assembly—I really have no ability [in the matter],” the prime minister said. “I know that CPP parliamentarians in the Na­tion­al Assembly will probably de­cide to [not support] a vote for or against You Hockry—in choosing this, the CPP can avoid inter­fer­ing in another party’s political affairs.”

The move to oust You Hockry as co-minister of interior started in mid-March, with Funcinpec members accusing You Hockry of corruption and nepotism. Re­cently, Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh signed an order to fire You Hock­ry.

Princess Norodom Vacheara, a  member of the party’s Steering Com­­mit­tee, criticized the premier’s statement, saying he is taking the power out of the as­sem­bly. “What about the relationship and partnership in the coalition gov­ernment?” asked Princess Va­cheara. “The coalition agreement signed by both parties will be in­ef­fective and useless. I don’t un­der­stand why he said he does not in­terfere with Funcinpec.”

Another parliamentarian said Funcinpec is not worried about getting the votes for a new can­didate but said, “I hope Hun Sen will try to find a way to help Fun­cinpec, as he is a leader.”

Chea Soth, a CPP parliament­ar­ian, said Thursday he had not yet decided to vote because the party has not decided to meet on the You Hockry matter yet.

The list of possible replacement candidates include Nhiek Bun Chhay, vice-chair of the Sen­ate; Khan Savoeun, de­puty RCAF commander-in-chief; Kieng Vang, secretary of state for the Ministry of Interior; Por Bun Sroeu, secretary of state for the Ministry of Defense; parliamentarian Kek Vandy and Than Sina, deputy governor for the Phnom Penh municipality. Many Steering Committee members are pushing for Nhiek Bun Chhay and Khan Savoeun, a party source said.