Facing criticism from soldiers and silence from City Hall, CNRP lawmaker Ou Chanrath has broadened his plan to erect a statue of slain political analyst Kem Ley.
He now envisions a memorial park in Phnom Penh that would honor Cambodia’s heroes and veterans of all generations.
Mr. Chanrath wrote a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen proposing the park and gave it to National Assembly president Heng Samrin about two weeks ago.
He said he was inspired to be more inclusive after a group of soldiers on the Cambodia-Thailand border complained about his initial plan, saying Kem Ley did not merit a statue because he was not a member of the police or military.
Cambodia, like the U.S. and the Philippines, should have a memorial park commemorating veterans’ sacrifices, Mr. Chanrath said.
Leng Peng Long, spokesman for the National Assembly, said the letter had not yet been passed to the prime minister.
City Hall spokesman Mean Chanyada said: “We did not respond to him yet because this is not an important issue.”
