Funcinpec’s former governor of Kandal province, Tep Nonnary, was questioned for nearly two hours at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday in relation to a defamation lawsuit filed by Funcinpec Secretary-General and co-Minister of Interior Prince Norodom Sirivudh.
Speaking at the courthouse following his questioning by prosecutor Ngeth Sarath, Tep Nonnary said his accusations of corruption against Prince Sirivudh and calls for the prince’s removal, were meant as constructive criticism of the royalist party.
Prince Sirivudh lodged the complaint earlier this month after Tep Nonnary accused him of corruption in relation to his removal
“This lawsuit accuses me of criticizing [Prince Sirivudh] over the appointment of provincial and municipal governors and deputy governors which was involved with corruption,” Tep Nonnary said.
“My criticism is to improve my party because…the party falls down in popularity. My criticism is to bring up my party in order to operate well,” he said, adding he did not mean to defame Funcinpec.
But Tep Nonnary was steadfast on Friday in his claims of irregularity in his removal and the removal of about 20 Funcinpec provincial and municipal officials after the coalition government was formed.
“There are some documents proving that some people were not Funcinpec members, but they have been appointed in Funcinpec’s quota,” he said.
Funcinpec spokesman Tuot Lux said Friday that Tep Nonnary should have kept his criticism private. “The criticism that improves the party is not done publicly. It should not make the party’s popularity go down,” he said.
Commenting on the claim that non-Funcinpec members were given provincial and municipal posts, Tuot Lux denied the allegations and said Tep Nonnary continued to defame the party, even while being questioned. “He still defames so the court will give him justice,” he said.
A trial date has not yet been set.
