An article in the draft penal code stipulating that house searches can take place
without the presence of owners provoked heated debate at the National Assembly, with
lawmakers initially voting against the article, before it was finally approved, local
media reported. After initial voting for the article fell two short of a majority,
National Assembly President Heng Samrin summoned a second vote, which resulted in
a majority. Opponents claimed the second vote was illegitimate and said the article
could enable police to plant evidence in suspects' homes. The debate came as the
National Assembly discussed the draft of a penal code that would cement in law regulations
that have been poorly defined since 1993.
