Nhem En, a former photographer for the Khmer Rouge at the Tuol Sleng prison in Phnom Penh, announced in a press conference on Saturday afternoon that he has left the opposition CNRP to join the ruling CPP.
Mr. En, 55, who was previously the deputy governor of Anlong Veng district in Oddar Meanchey province and has spent much of his adult life trying to capitalize on his profession under Pol Pot, said he was resigning from the opposition party due to disappointment in its leaders.
“I cannot accept this activity,” he said of a lack of transparency among CNRP leaders. Mr. En also criticized opposition leader Sam Rainsy for again leaving the country when faced with arrest.
“When there is a problem, he goes overseas and abandons us,” he said.
CNRP spokesman Yem Ponhearith said that he had not received Mr. En’s resignation letter.
“Election season is coming closer, there is always some in and out,” he said.
