Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 10 – Kem Samathida, daughter of former leader Kem Sokha, and other Cambodia National Rescue Party supporters in US reacted to Sam Rainsy for taking “Kem Sokha” as a bet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“CNRP-USA strongly condemns the immoral, unethical, and insulting act which seriously affected the sacrifice of Kem Sokha and millions of Cambodian people struggling for freedom of rights, democracy, and respect to human rights,” according to CNRP-USA’s statement released on 9 November 2018.
It is worth noting that Sam Rainsy announced via Facebook on Cambodian Independence Day that he dared Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to release former President Kem Sokha under the conditions that if Sokha released within the period of 29 December 2018 – 3 March 2018, the premier shall give up his premiership and that if not, Rainsy shall return home and be arrested.
Prime Minister confirmed shorty in an exclusive interview with Fresh News CEO Lim Chea Vutha that: “I bet with Sam Rainsy. If Kem Sokha is released, Hun Sen will resign; but if not, Rainsy shall dare to be arrested.”
The premier added, “I would like to use Fresh News as a witness and respond to Sam Rainsy Facebook on this bet and let the public and international witness this bet, effective from 9 November until 3 March 2019 as proposed by Sam Rainsy.”
Prime Minister’s decision was made in response to Sam Rainsy‘s statement on Facebook: “Does Hun Sen dare to bet with me? On 7 November, Hun Sen says that we will have to wait for “a horse to grow horns” before he frees Kem Sokha. I still believe that under international pressure, Mr. Hun Sen will be forced to release Mr. Sokha in the near future, apparently on 29 December 2018, or at the latest 3 March 2019. If Hun Sen won this bet, he did not have to cut himself as he had promised to stop deforestation. I just asked him to step down. But if I lose to Hun Sen, I would like to turn myself in and let the court arrest me and put me in custody together with Kem Sokha without inserting something new (such as a coup) other than the aforementioned.”
