Leadership

now browsing by category

 
Posted by: | Posted on: September 21, 2013

The King Should Send Only Royal Letter for 23 September 2013

Dear Cambodian Compatriots;

I don’t wish to see any discontentment from Cambodian people towards our King at all. If the King cannot follow the footstep of his Father, King Norodom Sihanouk during the political deadlock in 2003 who publicly declared that he will not attend the first meeting of the assembly if the two rivals cannot settle down the conflict, OUR PRESENT KING SHOULD ONLY SEND THE ROYAL LETTER TO THE ASSEMBLY THROUGH HIS PERSONAL SECRETARY TO READ FOR THEM. The King has been warrant by the laws to choose his own choice and decision-making for the sake of Monarchy and Unity.

The latest development of political deadlock in Cambodia has become tense and the King has been seen as the target from people’s eyes and international communities. Tomorrow of September 23th, 2013 will mark an important historical day for King Norodom Sihamuni since his enthronement in October 29, 2005. If the King cannot avoid and he must present at the National Assembly to lead the first parliamentary convention tomorrow (September 23th, 2013), it shall be known as the second most controversial day for the King since his enthronement. The first most controversial day is not something unpopular to the Cambodian people because it was very obsessive as many critics and opposition members were jailed; the Prime Minister, the assembly members and the King worked under pressure to complete the border treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam which is called “Supplemental Border Treaty between Kingdom of Cambodia and Republic of Vietnam”. After the Assembly ruled majorly by the Cambodian People’s Party approved the treaty by showing hands on November 11th, 2005, the King ratified it eventually to legalize the treaty.

Tomorrow shall recall the King’s leadership on bonding the Cambodian people. As the nature of two conflicts happened by the protest from the opposition party while the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has increased its popularity and major votes among the Cambodian people substantially, the approval act of the King would be seen increasing implausible and discontentment among Cambodian people.

As a Cambodian citizen, I have wholeheartedly supported the Monarchy existence in Cambodia. This institution is not only essential by its embedded splendid history, the national motto and constitution, my feeling of belonging and my sense of pride on the Great Kingdom of this country, has intuitively absorbed into my mind, heart and responsibility. I don’t wish to see any discontentment from Cambodian people towards our King at all. If the King cannot follow the footstep of his Father, King Norodom Sihanouk during the political deadlock in 2003 who publicly declared that he will not attend the first meeting of the assembly if the two rivals cannot settle down the conflict, OUR PRESENT KING SHOULD ONLY SEND THE ROYAL LETTER TO THE ASSEMBLY THROUGH HIS PERSONAL SECRETARY TO READ FOR THEM. The King has been warrant by the laws to choose his own choice and decision-making for the sake of Monarchy and Unity.

Doing so, the King will possibly retain full respect from Cambodian people.

Peace,

Sophoan

Posted by: | Posted on: September 18, 2013

The Two Dichotomous Manesfactos

After reading a short paragraphs to two different arguments of Cambodian politicians ie. Phay Siphan and Yim Sovann on facebook on the must follow the Constitution and the Effort of the King, and the must follow the will and conscience of the Cambodian people. I have my say as following:

Of course, the argument is likely becoming a stage for national debate. Cambodian people from all walks of life must participate with this renaissance and enlightening crusade for the nation. While one side is sticking on the rational of National Constitution and having the King on the Constitutional Mandate, the other side is focusing on the rationale of people’s will and their conscience.

This question is really relevant that “Can the spoken represent the unspoken?”. I cannot calculate how many are spoken and how many are unspoken. Recently, Prince Dhammiko declared to the peaceful mass demonstrators at the Freedom Park that there were thieving of victory from the CNRP by the CPP. He elaborated that the unnecessary dispatching/rallying of arm force, tanks and guns to every part of capital city, to the headquarter of NEC and CCC etc. during the pending election result, is a fact of threatening.

I have two scenarios to back up my argument following:

1. To pursue my neutral debate (professional neutrality as said probably), I see the existing mechanism of Constitution is facing dilemma as no international communities have given green light to the election result. And I think the UNs is the most outspoken one in this matter as their recommendations to reform the NEC prior to the Election has been intentionally neglected. So extending to this backing up, is there any factor or correlation between Cambodian Constitution and UNs as well as other international obligations to adjudicate or legitimize this bonding or undetachable obligation?

2. Civil rights and liberty have evidenced as all were opposing to the existing laws or constitution. If I can recall back to the March of Ghandi for freedom from England, or Jr.King to fight for the halting of black skin discrimination; all are opposing the existing mechanism, am I right? This doesn’t include many dictatorial countries that their existing laws and constitution are just the shield to protect absolute power. But when people woke up, those laws have been seen nonsense.

But I do think laws and constitution in Cambodia have been amended by National Assembly and it has been seen flaws while Check and Balance, and Effective Implementation, have been nationally and internationally criticized. So if we could not take those critics as our bonanza for reform in all fields, just NEC reform is nothing hideous to the Constitution at all. The NEC reform will only be luminous to this nation, unity and the strengthening of nation building through Election Confidence and Trust.

Note that I have only supported the effort, in case of Cambodia especially at the present crossroad, to switch from the use of guns to use the power of pens. At an effort of CNRP’s leadership, the testimony of peaceful mass demonstration, the constraints behavior of the policemen, the change to more open minded TV commentators, the well-informed demonstrators/population, the maturity of the politicians, tolerance and nonviolence culture, all can keep the flame alive on this wonder land.

The puzzling question here now is why NEC has been seen so protective, not only by the powerful entities and some politicians, by the use of Constitution to protect NEC is not plausible, healthy and futuristic at all for Cambodia.

Peace,

Sophoan
Posted by: | Posted on: September 14, 2013

CPP CNRP and the King: Meeting of the Announcing

In my guess, CNRP is still obtaining many means to handling political negotiations. If there is no progress on demand for change on NEC, the attendance on the first National Assembly Convention might be shamefully missed the 55 elected members. Intensifying to the existing peaceful mass demonstration, the taking over national assembly by the CNRP alone, or the power share as a hybrid opposition within the winning constituencies/provinces, all are considered effective mechanism for genuine reform and change.

Thomas Hobbs on his book of “The Leviathan” critically narrated the “state of nature”, “divine leadership” and “monarchy” as the type of government operated by the absolute and divine King. Almost 500 years now that his theory has still being embedded in Cambodia and I am keen to comment on it while the King of Cambodia: Preah Bat Norodom Sihamuni invited the top leaders of CPP and CNRP to the meeting to resolve the political deadlock caused by the recent National Election on July 28th, 2013.

Watching TVK’s video clip of shorter than 20 minutes, the meeting is about listening to the King’s letter orally read by him with an unobstructed and unnatural tone. After that, the King handed the letter to both top leaders to invite them for the first session of national assembly. This scene surely pleased Premier Hun Sen but displeased Sam Rainsy, at an incalculable level.

The Fight for People Demand and the Confrontation with the Leviathan

At the present, Cambodia has faced with the dilemma of two groups of people: the change challengers and the fans of the divinity. The election day and the subsequent days after the election roaming up to now, the cohort of youths and mass population have come out to the street to support CNRP without fear and reluctant in their expedition for change. As the matter of fact, the increase of seats of CNRP and the crowd joining with the peaceful mass demonstration manifest the truth of non-stopped challenging. The crowd is the message for civility, liberty and rights.

But for the King who has been regarded as divine by the Cambodian people issued a letter on August 30th to appeal to all Cambodian compatriots to respect the existing mechanism of NEC according to the National Constitution in which analyst posed suspect on the inconsistent letter issued on August 7th that advised both rivals to negotiate and settle down conflict peacefully. Latter on, the King issued letter to support NEC to announce the election result as mandated on its schedule. Subsequently, this face to face meeting is to pre-arrange for the King’s call for the first convention of the National Assembly on September 23rd. as mandated by the NEC mechanism.

This trend is moving reversely to the demand of the CNRP that has continuously called for the not-free and not-fair election conducted by the NEC since before and after the election. CNRP has repeatedly called for the delay of result announcement, but no one care! Now, CNRP is likely speechless as the King will convene the first National Assembly and handed the invitation letter by televising it to his people entire the country. The puzzling question is that why NEC is seen so protective especially by the divine King? Why the demand of CNRP which is representing “change challengers or civility” is not on the eye of the King?

CNRP’s leadership is going to face tough decision making as one is their challenging supporters and another is their respectful divine King. At this crossroad, politics is about “survival” and I hope it is not the “survival of the fittest” described by Darwin. For Premier Hun Sen, he is likely happy with the provision by this power of divinity in the meantime that Sam Rainsy can tell the reporters only that “meeting today is no no, nothing”.

Futurist’s Thought on the Future Monarch of Cambodia

Many observers and writers have said the same tune that the popularity and the important role of the King of Cambodia is on the rim of decline. This inclination is possibly caused by the increase in civility and respectful neutrality of the King especially during the occurring conflicts is not practical. Different from the King Father: Preah Bath Dhammakod, his presence in China is in China; no interacting letters were endorsed in Cambodia. While the King was absent, the substitute(s) can hold to power and authorize decision making vertically.

But this time, observing from letter issued on August 30th, 2013 till now, the respectful neutrality has been gradually in a loophole. As the message of the CNRP has greatly outreached to the bottom line Cambodian people on the bad credibility of the existing NEC and calling for the creation of independent co-investigator; the mediation effort of the King is to push all parties to accept the existing NEC.

What will happen NEXT?

No one know exactly what is happening NEXT because it is the myth of the politics. It is not a divine predestine but a human-oriented opportunity. The calling for mass demonstration by the CNRP on 15-16-17 of September shall be in business as usual. But to keep the flame alive on the prospect of change might be not on motion within the demonstrators. It might be on a set of classroom to instruct them about the exercise of civil rights and liberty. But it is very useful for the component of democracy that people “must be able to freely express themselves and exercise their rights without limit”, and importantly it will advocate for broader concept of “well-informed citizens”.

Read More …

Posted by: | Posted on: September 13, 2013

Comment on CAMBODIA: New Political Trend of Positive Change by Our Ritthy

Dear Mr. Ou Ritthy;

As current deadlock is on its way, CNRP must not only stick on nonviolent mass demonstration as only one possible means; there are many other possible means waiting ahead. If the CNRP accepted the 55 seats as its base to build the foundation for reform; the time is fast approaching before the round table talk invited by the King. Or the meeting is a pending scenario prior to the formation of the new government? I don’t know how the leaders are trading off in mind but the political communication for public stunt is rolling non-stopped and the leaders must adopt, adjust and adjourn wisely and flexibly.

I am enriched and empowered by your thought provoking article. Among youths of youths, I think you have taken step of political advancement far beyond current Cambodian context. Talking about youths’ political socialization, yours is moving far beyond them and out-dating most incumbent Cambodian politicians.
Courtesy: Social Business News

Courtesy: Social Business News

As a keen futuristic political observer, the trend of change in political culture on behavior, leadership, socialization, participation and power perception, is on its unobstructed rolling. I have placed a lot of hope on young Cambodians representing 30% as the agent of political realism and pragmatism in this country. I can see that at the moment, many Cambodian politicians have been outdated by those young generations. As a outdated product, there will be no market or inventory shelve to sell those products any more.
One of the examples, while the CNRP has changed its policy to non-confrontational approach, the CPP is still strongly undertaking that past habitual confrontational means. Part of political will, and I don’t see concrete message on internal reform, CPP has keen interested on the grassroots movement and the power of this social stratum by increasing wage to those commune councilors. The use of this existing tool might not be effective for CPP to call back confidence at all. CPP must focus on macro reform and the change of its political leadership. On a glimpse of current movement and social change, the Premier must consider himself a great leap of sacrifice by undertaking political retirement by early or middle period before or during the upcoming government if it is to be fully formed. Doing so, the Premier can retain both personal interest and party interest.
For CNRP, the conglomeration of all democratic bodies is impregnably to boost current confidence but it doesn’t ensure that the future is resulted the same if the leadership doesn’t answer the demand for the youths and the futurists. As current deadlock is on its way, CNRP must not only stick on nonviolent mass demonstration as only one possible means; there are many other possible means waiting ahead. If the CNRP accepted the 55 seats as its base to build the foundation for reform; the time is fast approaching before the round table talk invited by the King. Or the meeting is a pending scenario prior to the formation of the new government? I don’t know how the leaders are trading off in mind but the political communication for public stunt is rolling non-stopped and the leaders must adopt, adjust and adjourn wisely and flexibly.
Peace,
Sophoan
Read More …