A National Assembly session in 2021. NA
The National Assembly (NA) is set to discuss and approve a draft of the 10th amendment to the Constitution and Additional Constitutional Law at its plenary session scheduled for July 28.
The draft is slated for a vote three weeks after sailing through the Council of Ministers and the Constitutional Council, and the review of the NA’s expert commission last week.
“We will discuss and approve the draft amendment to articles 19, 89, 98, 102, 119 and 125 of the Constitution – along with revisions to articles 3 and 4 of the Additional Constitutional Law tending to ensure the regular functioning of national institutions,” the NA said in a press release.
The NA Standing Committee on July 19 approved and handed the draft to the expert commission on legislation and justice for review and study.
The Council of Ministers passed the draft at a July 8 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan said at the time that the amendments were in the best interests of the people and were geared towards maintaining normalcy in administrative work.
The proposed changed has caused concerns among some political parties. On July 21, four parties – Candlelight, Khmer Will, Cambodian Reform and Grassroots Democratic – submitted a petition to the NA requesting that they vote against the draft amendment, saying it would weaken the power of the legislative body should it be adopted.
Minister of Justice Koeut Rith reiterated that the 10th amendment to the Constitution and the Additional Constitutional Law had not been written in secrecy and that their purpose was to close loopholes left in the 1993 Constitution and to ensure the national interests.
He explained at a 14 July press conference that the amendment would ensure that the supreme institutions of the nation, especially the executive branch, could lead state tasks while functioning smoothly and sustainably in all circumstances.
The minister added that the amendment would guarantee, protect and maintain peace, social security, public order and the political stability of the country, all crucial for the development of all sectors.
