Self-exiled Sam Rainsy wants to come home to join King Father’s funeral

Chhay Sophal

Opposition Leader Sam Rainsy is keen to return to the country to join the funeral of King Father Norodom Sihanouk who passed away by heart attack in Beijing, China, in early Monday, Sam Rainsy Party Parliamentarian told Cambodia News Monday.

Sam Rainsy was convicted in 2010 on disinformation charges and the government officials have repeated that he would be arrested and sent to prison if he dares to return to Cambodia. He lives in self-imposed exile in Paris to avoid the imprisonment.

A government official told Cambodia News that the country welcomes Sam Rainsy at all times and as the Cambodian national, he can join former King Norodom Sihaouk’s funeral but no doubt that he would be arrested later.

“Actually, it is not the right time to talk about arrest and politics now while the whole country is getting in sadness. However, I can say that Mr. Sam Rainsy can join the King Father’s funeral at any time as it is his right in the name of a Cambodian citizen and I am sure the police will arrest him after the funeral is completely ended,” the official said asking not to be named.

In 2008 national election, the Sam Rainsy Party won 26 seats and the Human Rights Party won 3 seats against the 90 seats taken by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Sam Rainsy and Human Rights Parties merged last month to set up a new party — National Rescue Party — to beat CPP in the upcoming national election in next July.