KPP: Fringe Party or Threat to CNRP?

Khmer Times/Jonathan Cox

Sunday, 19 July 2015

PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times) – Sourn Serey Ratha (pictured) is making his political comeback. The politician was sentenced to seven years in prison in absentia this January for allegedly obstructing the 2013 elections, and his political party was labeled a “terrorist organization” by the government. But on July 10, King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal pardon to Mr. Ratha at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen; and on Friday, the Interior Ministry officially approved his party, the Khmer Power Party (KPP).

Some political analysts say the return of the KPP to the political stage is orchestrated by the ruling Cambodia People’s Party (CPP), which aims to divide the opposition. Others doubt that Mr. Ratha’s party poses a threat to the main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Viable Alternative?

For Cambodians unhappy with the CNRP’s “culture of dialogue” with the ruling party, the KPP is a viable alternative. It has taken a more hardline stance than the CNRP on some issues, demanding an independent National Election Commission, pledging to remove Vietnamese from the voter lists, and promising to award land to landless Cambodians.  

According to Mr. Ratha’s Facebook page, now that the Interior Ministry has given its seal of approval to the KPP, the party plans to set up headquarters in Phnom Penh as well as district offices around the country. “We will work and collaborate with people who stand and support us from now on,” he said. He said he plans to return to Cambodia from Thailand before the October 23 anniversary of the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. 

Political analyst Ou Virak said the government hopes to divide the opposition by recognizing the KPP. 

“What else can explain the pardon and the move to approve the party?” he said. “The opposition is in a pretty tough position now. If they think it’s a two-party race and move to the middle, they could alienate some of their base. If they don’t move, they won’t get enough votes.”

But political analyst Kem Ley said the government’s plan could backfire if the KPP tries  to highlight wrongdoing or corruption in the CPP. 

“The government cannot use the same old strategies of allowing many small parties to fight against each other,” he said. “The KPP will go against the government, not against the CNRP. More and more hidden issues in the gov’t will be heard, will be told publicly.”

Whether the KPP can actually break up the CNRP’s support depends on their appeal to Cambodian voters. Mr. Virak said that KPP stands little chance of gaining mainstream support. “I think it’s going to be very difficult for any third party in the coming election,” he said. “Any people who don’t support the ruling party, they will see the only viable option is the CNRP. Voting for any other party will be futile.

In addition to its other problems, the KPP leadership finds itself in an ambiguous legal position. Three of Mr. Ratha’s colleagues, who were sentenced along with him to between five and six years are still incarcerated. Mr. Ratha said he is talking to the government about freeing the men. “They were acting as activists under my orders. I want them free too. I will try my best to free them,” he said.

Mr. Ratha is unfazed by the legal issues. “We want the Cambodian people to have a new choice and new option,” he told Khmer Times. “Now we have an option to bring in a real democratization to people at the grassroots.”