Amid final words from political party leaders as the campaign period ends on Friday, the president of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) said on Tuesday that a win for his party is a win for the Kingdom.
Hun Sen who is also caretaker Prime Minister said under his leadership, Cambodia had transformed from a “killing field to a beautiful kingdom”.
Posting a message on his Facebook page along with an old photo of him and his wife, he said: “Under the CCP’s leadership, Cambodia has been transformed from a killing field to a beautiful and progressive kingdom.
“In fact, it was extremely difficult to end the war and build peace. The CPP is determined to defend peace and prevent people from returning to a new catastrophe.”
He followed up with another post that said, “[if the] CPP wins, it means that the whole of Cambodia wins”.
However, Ou Chanrath, a former lawmaker in the court dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) said while the ruling party will win the election, it is only because it does not have a worthy competitor.
“The CPP will win, but it doesn’t mean Cambodians are winners. In this election, the supporters of the [CNRP] are not happy and protest the elections, which means we do not have national unity,” he said.
He said the will of what he claimed as less than half the country should not be forced on everyone.
Political analyst Lao Mong Hay asked if a CPP victory is in the interest of all Cambodians.
“The CPP’s victory does not necessarily mean it is a victory for the country. Whether Cambodia is on the right track or not is debatable, and only history will have the final say,” Mong Hay said.
CPP spokesman Sok Eysan said Hun Sen’s words reflected the truth. “It reflects our social reality because the CPP’s policies led by the top party leaders have precise direction with true patriotism and love for the people.
“It is not a demagogy because all achievements and victories in the country are connected to the real interests of the nation and its people,” he said.
