Funcinpec party president Prince Norodom Ranariddh. Heng Chivoan
Funcinpec party’s headquarters in Mondulkiri and Kampong Chhnang provinces have been put up for sale for nearly $1 million in total, an anonymous source from the party said.
His statement came after Swift News reported that “a Funcinpec party official, Heng Hak Lim, and attorney Pheng Heng had asked for ailing Prince Norodom Ranarridh’s thumbprint to authorise the sale of two of the party’s headquarters”.
“One building in Mondulkiri is up for sale for $400,000 and another in Kampong Chhnang for $500,000,” the local news outlet said.
In June, unverified information swirled around that Funcinpec’s top officials had attempted to sell some of its provincial headquarters because the party president, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, was short on cash for medical bills.
Ranariddh currently receives medical treatment at the Royal Phnom Penh Hospital following a tragic traffic accident in June last year that took the life of his wife.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity recently, the source expressed disbelief that the party’s top brass, including acting president Prince Norodom Chakravuth – Ranariddh’s son – had intended to sell the headquarters on the pretext of paying off Ranariddh’s treatment expenses.
“I don’t believe that the officials would collect the money to be given to Ranariddh. I suspect they have other motives,” he said.
Funcinpec party spokesperson Nop Sothearith could not be reached for comment on Sunday, while lawyer Heng declined to comment, saying he was unable to disclose details.
“To learn more about this issue, please speak to someone with the authority to do so. As a lawyer, I just saw his [Ranariddh’s] son’s [Chakravuth’s] signature and I am not involved in the matter. Should we take this case to the court, I might represent them,” he argued.
Funcinpec deputy president Say Hak also declined to comment on Sunday, claiming that he was busy.
Meanwhile, The Post’s attempt to reach another party official, Heng Hak Lim, was unsuccessful.
In a letter dated July 22, Funcinpec urged Prince Chakravuth to change his management style if he is to prevent the party’s demise under his leadership and if he wishes to see his father recover from his illness.
The letter called on Prince Chakravuth to reunite the Funcinpec family by gathering strength and mobilising support from the top to the grassroots levels.
As for a potential merger with other political parties, the letter called on the prince to seriously consider the possibility.
He also said the capability and experiences of political figures from all sides must be considered to ensure that the merger corresponds to the needs and serve the benefits of the current and future party.
In the same letter, Funcipec urged the prince to end power abuse and instead follow the party’s statutes when reshuffling senior officials or nullifying previous decisions by his father.
It also called on Prince Chakravuth to allow party officials to pay courtesy visits to Prince Ranariddh.
“[Prince Chakravuth] must provide opportunities for the party’s senior leadership, veteran politicians, loyalists and party members from the capital and provinces to visit Prince Ranariddh.
“To continue leading the party on behalf of Prince Ranariddh, Prince [Chakravuth] must properly follow procedures under the party’s rules and statutes to avoid illegality,” the letter said.
