lawmaker Son Chhay is scheduled to meet with King Norodom Sihanouk today to discuss the succession to the throne and border issues, Son Chhay said Wednesday.
The parliamentarian said he asked for the meeting because he wants to get inspiration on these difficult issues and declare his support for the monarchy.
“I want to…get the King’s ideas to enable me to push for [new] Throne Council legislation,” he said.
Within the Royal Palace there is growing concern that politicians no longer see the need for a monarchy and will abolish it once the King dies, Son Chhay said.
“To maintain the principles of our Constitution and political stability, we should safeguard the throne,” he said.
The royal succession—which is normally taboo to discuss, since it hinges on the King’s death—has been in the public eye lately, with Funcinpec President Prince Norodom Ranariddh declaring that neither he nor his uncle, Funcinpec Secretary-General Prince Norodom Sirivudh, want to be king.
Existing legislation puts the matter up to a nine-member Throne Council, composed of the prime minister, the top three leaders of each house of parliament and the leaders of Cambodia’s two Buddhist sects.
The law does not make clear what kind of majority is needed. The ruling CPP currently holds five of the nine seats.
Son Chhay—who recently called for the establishment of a parliamentary border commission to research and compile border agreements, maps and documents—said the King has the authority to settle long-running border disputes, even though the monarch expressed regret in May that he has been unable to do so.
But Son Chhay pointed to the 1960s, when Thailand had claimed the Preah Vihear temple for its own. “The King led a crusade to win the case at The Hague [Netherlands] and bring [the temple] back home,” Son Chhay said.
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Senators Ou Bunlong and Meng Rita will join Son Chhay, Sam Rainsy said.
