A protest by the CNRP official who was expelled Tuesday from the opposition party dissolved into theatrics Thursday when she began scuffling with former colleagues, one of whom seized her phone in lieu of payment for an alleged $20 debt.
The CNRP’s disciplinary committee expelled Lak Sopheap, a personal assistant to party Vice President Kem Sokha, after she made widely publicized claims that CNRP President Sam Rainsy had illicitly received some $20 million.
Near the entrance of the CNRP’s headquarters in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey district, Ms. Sopheap led a small protest Thursday along with about 20 supporters, some of whom criticized the opposition party for kicking Ms. Sopheap out.
“I will not go back under any circumstances,” Ms. Sopheap said at her protest, excoriating the CNRP.
“There is nepotism in the party, such as in the permanent committee, which has Kem Sokha, his daughter, Sam Rainsy, and his wife, Kuoy Bunroeun and Eng Chhay Eang, who are brothers-in-law, and Ke Sovannaroth and [her husband] Yim Sovann,” she said.
Among the 20 supporters Ms. Sopheap rallied to the opposition headquarters, many said she had not informed them why they were protesting.
“She told us to come to the CNRP, and I did not know that we were coming to protest against the CNRP, and I just followed her,” said Seng Sokheng, 60, who traveled from Takeo province.
“If I knew we were coming to protest against the CNRP, I would not have come here.”
Others said they supported Ms. Sopheap, arguing that she is an elected member of the CNRP’s steering committee and thus cannot be summarily expelled.
“I came to protest against the CNRP that has committed corruption, since we have voted for her,” said Moeun Non, 70, from Kompong Speu province. “Why has [the CNRP] not asked the people about this?”
Ms. Sopheap’s protest was soon met with a counterprotest of about 30 CNRP supporters, who gathered in an attempt to force her group away from the CNRP’s grounds.
A scuffle broke out after a coffee seller stationed near the CNRP’s headquarters claimed that Ms. Sopheap had purchased one of her beverages without paying for it.
“You owe me 1,000 riel [about $0.25] for my coffee and you have not given me any money yet, so now give the money,” the coffee seller said, to Ms. Sopheap’s denial.
One of the CNRP faithful then emerged from the group, claiming that Ms. Sopheap owed her $20 and saying that she lent the former CNRP official the money months ago.
“Do you dare to swear on your life that I owe you the money?” Ms. Sopheap asked of her claimant. “I will file a complaint against you that you have defamed me.”
Unsatisfied, the claimant seized Ms. Sopheap’s inexpensive mobile phone in lieu of the $20 and fled.
Shortly thereafter, Ms. Sopheap and her group were convinced to depart from the CNRP’s offices.
