Ten of the 11 parties competing in this month’s national election pledged publicly Tuesday to enact an anti-corruption law within the first six months of being elected.
The ruling CPP was the lone party absent from the forum held at the World Vision office in Phnom Penh and organized by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations Against Corruption.
Each party took five minutes to explain how they would combat corruption through policy and enforcement.
“I hope the party that wins the election will practice what they have promised,” said Koul Panha, director of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections, speaking after the event. “If they don’t practice, the voter will notice and might not choose them next time,” he said.
Kek Galabru, president of Licadho, expressed regret about the CPP’s absence from the forum. “The CPP should have sent a member to attend the forum to show that the CPP also has a vision to make an anti-corruption law,” she said.
CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap said his party did not participate, as other parties would have used the forum as an opportunity to criticize.
“The CPP is the ruling party. If the CPP joined the forum, other parties would take that time to blame each other, especially the CPP,” she said.
The CPP is aware that corruption is a burning issue, and Prime Minister Hun Sen is determined to pass an anti-graft law if the CPP wins the July 27 election, he said.
SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said his party had previously drafted an anti-corruption law but it didn’t receive support from the National Assembly.
“After three months of Sam Rainsy becoming prime minister, the anti-corruption law will be passed,” he said.
