Cambodian PM supports former king's idea for royal members to stay away from politics

PM Hun Sen said here on Monday that he supports retired king Norodom Saihanouk's idea that members of the royal families should stay out of the political stage of Cambodia.

"We requested members of the royal families to have the initiative to write the draft law of keeping their members out of politics and we (will) offer salary for them according to their titles," he told reporters after attending a graduation ceremony at the Chaktuk Mok Theater.

He made these remarks in response to Sihanouk's call on Friday that members of the royal families should not oppose the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), all royal members stay away from politics, and the government provide them with pensions in exchange.

"We would like to see members of the royal families keep (themselves) out of the political life, just like some other countries do," Hun Sen said, adding that he had made such a proposal in 1996.

Meanwhile, he suggested that such a draft law be set up before the general election in 2008 and all royalist parties are expected to join the election in accordance with the rule of impartiality.

"I want the general election to become a big event for the process of democracy in Cambodia," he said.

Currently in Cambodia, King Norodom Sihamoni is symbol of the nation, while some royal members head minor parties or hold senior posts in the government.

Source: Xinhua