Sam Rainsy Urges CPP Members To Defect

The SRP hopes to turn the tide of defections through the distribution of 100,000 statements urging CPP members to jump to the opposition, officials said. 

“I would like to appeal to those CPP officials that love the country and justice to participate with the Sam Rainsy Party, which relies on the will of the people, unlike the CPP, which relies on money to buy people,” Sam Rainsy said in the statement, which was released Saturday.

Several top SRP officials have defected to the CPP this year, each receiving senior adviser positions to the government. At least 100 mid-level SRP officials have defected this year, said SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Eang.

In appointing SRP defectors as advisers, the CPP neglected the talent and dedication of its own party members, Sam Rainsy said in Saturday’s statement.

“The CPP has shown its ignorance toward its own CPP officials, like village chiefs, commune councilors and the provincial directors,” Sam Rainsy said in the statement, which was broadcast on Beehive Radio FM 105 Monday during the SRP’s daily radio show.

SRP defectors received payouts from $2,000 to $200,000, Sam Rainsy claimed in the statement, while CPP members have been left alone to bear the brunt of the rising inflation.

“You [CPP members] also need your children to have good employment with proper salaries. You are also victim of rising prices,” Sam Rainsy said.

SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said 100,000 copies of the statement will be disseminated across the nation at the end of June.

CPP National Assembly Vice President Nguon Nhel denied Prime Minister Hun Sen paid defectors from $2,000 to $200,000.

“We don’t have enough money because hundreds of thousands of people have defected to us,” he said by telephone Monday. “The CPP does not buy people.”

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