A routine traffic stop in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district early Sunday morning led to an argument between police and an opposition lawmaker, who was eventually fined 25,000 riel (about $6.25) for not wearing a seatbelt.
Deputy district police chief Leuk Vibo said CNRP lawmaker Real Camerin was stopped at a police checkpoint on Street 271 in Boeng Trabek commune at about 1:30 a.m.
“I did not know the man was a lawmaker because his car did not bear the number plates of the National Assembly,” Mr. Vibo said.
“Mr. Real Camerin used many bad words in an attempt to look down on my police officers after he was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt.”
Mr. Camerin said that he was driving a friend’s Toyota RAV4 to buy rice porridge at Chhbar Ampov market when he was stopped and that he only became upset after police began mocking him.
“I parked the car and asked police what I was doing wrong because I did not realize my mistake of not wearing a seatbelt,” he said. “But a police officer teased me and said I am a lawmaker who does not respect the law,” he added. “I was upset about that.”
