Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Sar Kheng says CNRP stole ‘national rescue’

Sar Kheng says CNRP stole ‘national rescue’

Interior Minister Sar Kheng attends a meeting at Phnom Penh’s City Hall yesterday, where he compared a new opposition movement to ISIS and accused them of stealing the phrase ‘national salvation’.
Interior Minister Sar Kheng attends a meeting at Phnom Penh’s City Hall yesterday, where he compared a new opposition movement to ISIS and accused them of stealing the phrase ‘national salvation’. Hong Menea

Sar Kheng says CNRP stole ‘national rescue’

Interior Minister Sar Kheng yesterday lamented the phrase “national rescue” had been co-opted by the opposition party and their new movement – which he claimed could “become ISIS” – because the concept of “national salvation” belonged to the ruling party.

The words “rescue” and “salvation” – which translate to the same word in Khmer – were invoked in Prime Minister Hun Sen’s “United Front for National Salvation”, when his Vietnamese-backed force overthrew the Khmer Rouge in 1979.

Kheng said he was sorry the opposition party “stole” the term, but the Interior Ministry could not reject the name when the Cambodia National Rescue Party was registered in 2012.

He added the Cambodia National Rescue Movement was “not alive” in Cambodia due to constitutional law that would not allow anyone to “break democracy”, and said existing laws would “prevent” it from growing.

“If we do not control it, this movement can become ISIS or create army troops at the border. It is an illegal organisation. We must kill it,” he said.

CNRM founder Sam Rainsy suggested Kheng and his party did not have a copyright or patent on those words, and that the violent threats to eliminate his movement merely showed Cambodia needed rescuing again.

“Why are they so afraid of words? Maybe it’s a tacit recognition on their part that ‘national rescue’ or ‘national salvation’ have become relevant again, but this time against them,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Honda shutters Siem Reap football club

    Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, the owner of Siem Reap football club Soltilo Angkor FC, has been forced to shut the club down, after it failed to attract sponsorship for the upcoming season. Honda, the former manager of the Cambodia men's national football team, said

  • Hun Sen warns of regional tensions

    ASIA is becoming a dangerous geopolitical hotspot, with several countries announcing that they intend to send naval vessels towards Southeast Asia and on to the South China Sea, warned Prime Minister Hun Sen. “Heated geopolitical issues can easily escalate, namely to war. I am not

  • PM declares ASEAN Para Games open

    The 12th ASEAN Para Games officially kicked off on the evening of June 3 at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring fireworks and performances by some of the Kingdom’s most accomplished talents. Tens of thousands of sports fans

  • Waterway job still pending for Kampot tourism port’s opening

    The search is still on for a contractor to expand and deepen the Kampot International Tourism Port’s waterway and deliver additional enhancements allowing safe access for larger vessels, nearly a year after the main construction work on the 4.25ha site was completed on June 30, 2022.