The spat between the Sam Rainsy Party and Kem Sokha’s Cambodian Center for Human Rights took to cyberspace over the weekend, with several Khmers living abroad denouncing the SRP’s boycott of CCHR forums.
In one online discussion group, mainly serving Cambodians living in the US, participants questioned the quarrel between Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, the leaders of the two once-kindred groups, and wondered why it had started.
The discussion group was responding to an e-mail from Sam Rainsy announcing that all SRP members would boycott all CCHR public forums unless CCHR leader Kem Sokha ceased his “repeated attacks” on the party.
“In my view, this statement has a serious negative implication on the [SRP] party, as it carries dictatorial resonance and attitude,” wrote Bora Touch, a discussion group member, in an email dated Sunday.
“Why couldn’t SRP work with Kem Sokha? Talk to him—same way you talked to Hun Sen, find the common ground and work together towards a common goal. Please remember that everyone has political ambitions,” responded Saunora Prom on the same day.
Mrith Chhang, who attended a meeting on Saturday held by Kem Sokha in Seattle in the US state of Washington, wrote that both sides in the simmering disagreement stood to lose support if they could not come to an agreement.
“It is assumed that if the conflict continues and cannot be resolved, both will see losses of support in the near future, and democracy in Cambodia will be at risk,” he wrote.
Sam Rainsy was in Paris and could not be reached for comment. SRP lawmaker Son Chhay said that for such messages to traded among Cambodians overseas was normal during any political development.
Kem Sokha, who is touring in the US until after the Khmer New Year, had reported hearing opinions similar to those expressed in the e-mails during his visit, said CCHR spokesman Ou Virak, adding that he himself was not aware of the e-mail debate.
