CNRP lawmakers set to retake seats in N/A

CNRP acting president Kem Sokha and Interior Minister Sar Kheng shake hands at the National Assembly earlier this year. 

The CNRP yesterday announced its lawmakers will attend Wednesday’s plenary session at the National Assembly, ending the party’s almost two-month boycott that began after the brutal beating of two of its lawmakers outside parliament by pro-government protesters.

Following the October 26 assault, the CNRP boycotted the assembly citing safety concerns, amid political tensions also stemming from the issuance of an arrest warrant against CNRP president Sam Rainsy, who remains abroad in self-imposed exile.

Yesterday, opposition spokesman Yem Ponharith said talks held between CNRP acting president Kem Sokha and Interior Minister Sar Kheng on Thursday had paved the way for opposition deputies to return to the assembly.

Ponharith said that comments on Sunday by Cambodian People’s Party spokesman Sok Eysan suggesting opposition lawmakers, if they continued their boycott, could have their salaries frozen and government-provided Lexuses withdrawn had not influenced the decision.

Wednesday’s agenda items include ratifying an amendment to the Marrakesh agreement, the convention which established the World Trade Organisation; voting to back the ASEAN biodiversity centre; and approving a new law on animal health and production.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hun Sen will fly to Thailand on Friday for an official two-day visit, the Foreign Ministry announced yesterday.

During the visit, Hun Sen will meet Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, deliver a speech at the Thailand-Cambodia Business Forum, and sign off on four pacts including MOUs concerning a planned border crossing in Stung Bot and labour cooperation.