CPP To Control All Ministerial Positions
Opposition officials warned Wednesday the single-party dominance would lead to a decline in democracy. (27 August 2008)
The ruling Cambodian People's Party will have the top seatsin all of Cambodia's 25 ministries, as well as the Council Minister position,according to a draft of its new administration. Every administration since the 1993 Untac elections has shared ministerial posts, as part of the peace process, but the CPP's dominant showingin July's election means it will not divide the top posts. The new administration will include lower ministry positionsfor both Funcinpec and the Norodom Ranariddh Party, but not for the opposition Sam Rainsy and Human Rights parties, officials said Wednesday. Critics warn that the planned administration could lead tothe decline of democracy and rights. The CPP's draft administration will include 36 politicaldefectors from the Sam Rainsy Party, including secretary and undersecretary ofstate positions, according to the draft. "Those CPP ministers have talent and experience,"said CPP lawmaker and Central Committee member Chiem Yeap. "The CPP is nowtrying to govern alone and keep partner positions in secretary andundersecretary [slots] and some provincial governors only." According to the draft, obtained this week by VOA Khmer, FuncinpecSecretary-General Nhiek Bunchhay will be promoted to a deputy prime ministerposition, the only non-member of the CPP to hold that title. The draft also shows several shifts in the CPP cabinet. Atleast five Funcinpec members will be appointed to "senior minister"positions, honorary titles below deputy prime minister that can includespecial assignments. Key ministries, such as Commerce, Finance, Foreign Affairs,Defense and Interior and Council of Ministers will all keep their currentministers, according to the draft. The ministries of Rural Development, Transportation,Education, Health and Culture will lose their Funcinpec ministers to CPP replacements. The ministries of Tourism and Religion, which have been heldby CPP members in recent years, will retain their CPP ministers who recently replaced Funcinpec members. "The new government will be more dynamic in tourism,agriculture, industry, petroleum, construction, services and investment,"Chiem Yeap said. Officials expect to enact the new administration followingthe first session of the National Assembly Sept. 24. The two opposition parties have threatened to boycott thesession, potentially deadlocking the government, which they maintain wasfraudulently elected. However, the opposition and human rights organizations notethat the single-party administration will have its downsides. The right of expression in public places like demonstrationsor rallies will be minimized, said Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for therights group Adhoc. The new administration will "deteriorate"democracy nationwide, Sam Rainsy said. "It will be a great danger, and the country will fallinto the communist system," he said.