Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Kheng seeks constitutional ban on individuals harming Cambodia’s ‘interests’

Kheng seeks constitutional ban on individuals harming Cambodia’s ‘interests’

Minister of Interior Sar Kheng chairs the annual review of the Ministry of Land Management, where he outlined proposed amendments to the Constitution yesterday. Fresh News
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng chairs the annual review of the Ministry of Land Management, where he outlined proposed amendments to the Constitution yesterday. Fresh News

Kheng seeks constitutional ban on individuals harming Cambodia’s ‘interests’

Interior Minister Sar Kheng announced yesterday that he would introduce an amendment to the Constitution banning individuals from doing “anything to impact the national interests” of Cambodia, singling out ex-opposition figure Kem Monovithya as an example.

“Each individual Cambodian must not do anything to impact the national interests of the Kingdom of Cambodia both domestically and abroad,” Kheng said, speaking at an annual review of the Ministry of Land Management in place of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He went on to add that this point “must be in the Constitution”.

Kheng, who has been appointed to the head of a 12- man working group tasked with introducing constitutional amendments, said he had seven amendments in mind, but only shared three. One, announced on Wednesday, would remove secretaries and undersecretaries of state’s designation as cabinet members. Another was only vaguely referenced yesterday as addressing foreign “interference”.

In Kheng’s speech, he said the amendment covering “national interests” could relate to opposition leader Kem Sokha’s daughter, Kem Monovithya, who Kheng said “compared Cambodia with Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Egypt and other countries”.

Sokha was arrested in September on widely decried charges of “treason” for telling supporters he received political advice from the United States. His Cambodia National Rescue Party – the nation’s only viable opposition – was dissolved shortly thereafter over accusations it was fomenting foreign-backed “revolution”. Monovithya, who was also a prominent party official, has frequently appealed to the international community for sanctions and other measures to pressure the government to restore true multiparty democracy.

“She suggested that the United Nations suspend Cambodia’s seat at the UN. How can she do that?” Kheng asked, adding that the UN allowed the Khmer Rouge to keep its seat, despite the group having killed almost 2 million people.

Kheng also blasted Monovithya for seeking sanctions against Cambodia.

“Who is going to be affected by the economic sanctions, the cutting down of quotas? Whose interests are affected? Does it affect the individual Samdech Hun Sen or ... the whole population?”

“She holds awful ideas,” Kheng added.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng speaks at the annual review of the Ministry of Land Management in Phnom Penh yesterday. Fresh News
Interior Minister Sar Kheng speaks at the annual review of the Ministry of Land Management in Phnom Penh yesterday. Fresh News

Monovithya yesterday accused the government of “openly targeting” her in recent weeks.

“Despite these threats and risks, I along with millions of Cambodians who want positive change, have no choice but to push back at this authoritarian regime,” she said.

Independent legal analyst Sok Sam Oeun said Kheng’s proposed prohibition would be both vague and abnormal. “What does it mean to harm the nation?” he asked. “Asking the EU or UN to punish anyone who abuses human rights – that does not mean you harm the nation.”

Sam Oeun added that such a law would be unacceptably vague for an “independent judiciary”, but said it would likely be acceptable to Cambodia’s courts, which are widely seen as an extension of the executive government.

Chak Sopheap, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said any amendment should “respect the fundamental principles upon which Cambodia is based”.

“No amendment can contravene freedom of expression, which is protected by the Constitution itself,” she said. “Any amendment or addition should be carefully drafted, each key term must be strictly defined, each constitutive element clearly listed, in order to respect legal certainty and leave no space for an arbitrary interpretation.”

Both Sopheap and San Chey, of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in Cambodia, said any amendment should receive consultation from civil society before being passed. “Some cunning laws have been used, and they affected human rights and democracy,” Chey said.

At yesterday’s meeting, Kheng also claimed that on a visit earlier this month W Patrick Murphy, a US State Department deputy secretary of state, had asked that the US not be brought up during Sokha’s upcoming treason trial. Kheng said that would be “difficult” to avoid.

The Cambodian government has frequently accused the US – along with the EU – of backing the CNRP’s purported plot to topple the government. “It is difficult because Kem Sokha admitted it,” he said, referring to a 2013 video in which Sokha speaks about getting help with his political platform from American advisers.

The US Embassy in Phnom Penh did not respond to requests for comment.

MOST VIEWED

  • Wing Bank opens new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004

    Wing Bank celebrates first anniversary as commercial bank with launch of brand-new branch. One year since officially launching with a commercial banking licence, Wing Bank on March 14 launched a new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004. The launch was presided over by

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one