Leaders of the Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party will try to thrash out the details of a merger in Manila today after arriving in the Philippines capital yesterday for scheduled internal party meetings.

Before boarding a flight at Phnom Penh International Airport on Sunday, HRP President Kem Sokha said a merger was what the electorate wanted.

“From the commune election, we found that Cambodian people have expressed their desire to see the HRP and the SRP unite together,” he said.

“Therefore, during the stay in Manila, we will do our best to serve the desires of the Cambodian people.”

Kong Korm, acting SRP president, said on Sunday his party was also keen on a merger.

“Both the SRP and the HRP have expressed a political desire for a merger and unity, therefore, our discussions will focus on finding a way that we can unite together,” he said.

If they do merge, one of the parties stands to lose all its commune, Senate and National Assembly seats.

To contact the reporter on this story: Vong Sokheng at [email protected]