King Norodom Sihanouk would appoint a new member to the Constitutional Council if Son Sann agreed to resign, the secretary-general of the Son Sann Party said Monday.
The octogenarian ex-politician has boycotted the top legal body, prompting anxiety from the monarch, Kem Sokha reported Monday.
“His Majesty the King has expressed his worry concerning reports of Son Sann’s absence,” Kem Sokha said after meeting with the King on Thursday at the monarch’s Siem Reap residence.
The senior Council member, appointed by the King, has not attended Council meetings since it first convened last month, nor was he ever sworn in. Son Sann has called the council “illegal” and won’t recognize it.
The King has received complaints from other Council members that Son Sann had not attended any of the four Council meetings, Kem Sokha said.
The monarch told Kem Sokha he would not force Son Sann to resign but would appoint another person to replace him if he offered his resignation. “The King still respects Son Sann,” Kem Sokha said. “He will only appoint a new member if Son Sann agrees to resign himself.”
Another member of the Council confirmed the legal body had already informed the King of Son Sann’s absence. “But we haven’t made a decision on this case,” said Bin Chhin, a National Assembly appointee. “It is up to the King. We just inform him.”
