We, Cambodians have to work as "agent of change"

Political Analysis:
Op-Ed by Khmer Young

Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".


As a responsible citizen, many scholars reiterated that "ask yourself what can you do for your nation, not to ask nation to do something for you". Naturally, human beings have been embedded by place-based attachment, or it is called "homeland" or "motherland". For all Cambodians who were born in Cambodia, though they have experienced poverty, civil war or ongoing mistreatment from the current pseudo-democratic administration, Cambodian people both inside and outside the country have never forgotten their "motherland".

Citizen role is to play as the "agent of change". Dr. Peang-meth asserted that "we cannot stop change" but "we can make change". It is common sense that change will harm us if we don't stand up to make change. Cambodia is in need to have "citizen participation" to make "such a positive change". In this moment, I would like to congratulate those who participated in demonstration in both Washingto DC. and Ottawa to express your concern regarding deterioration of democratic management in Cambodia, particularly the "lifting of Sam Rainsy's parliamentarian immunity because of his mission and duty to work for his people and the nation". Of course, Sam Rainsy just expressed concern to the loss and worry of farmers in border area of Cambodia-Vietnam, but why major representatives of CPP have to quickly lift Sam Rainsy's immunity in order to try him? American representatives said that "there are no glue of serious criminal action committed by Sam Rainsy to be lifted and tried by Cambodian government". Further more, the excuse of strengthening the "rule of law" by the government is not relevant because Sam Rainsy's act is not criminal and he is working for the collective interest of the nation.

How the situation could be solved while Sam Rainsy worked to protect Cambodian interests, the majority of CPP in assembly voted to lift his immunity in order try him? Is this political activity worthwise to Cambodian nation? Does Cambodian motherland reserve any benefit from this proceeding?

Worse than that, many spokesperson of CPP accused Sam Rainsy as "destabilize the nation", "destroy public property" or "destroy Cambodia-Vietnam friendship" etc. As a younger Cambodian, I don't see any of those accuses are beneficial to Cambodian nation. It is showing only dirty politics, disadvantageous politics and exacerbating existing hostility among Cambodian citizens. I would like to appeal the government of Cambodia to consider again at its utmost ability to stop this kind of "division politics and creating hostility among Cambodian citizens".

Any political party has to realize that "playing dirty and divison politics" will not benefit anything but heading to self-destruction. We have to run a politics that can maintain long term benefit for the nation. Current move of Hun Sen administration shows only hostility among those leaders and collective interests of the nation.

Let act now as the "agent of change" of the nation by filing complaints to your constituencies, joining demonstration, inform your close friends and relatives, express your opinion and actively participating with all political parties for the sake of our nation and people.