Sokha reacts to Banh threats
AS THE opposition yet again officially endorsed its three new deputy presidents yesterday after weeks of jumping through bureaucratic hoops, CNRP leader Kem Sokha took the opportunity to respond to recent threats of a bloody crackdown on any postelection protests, saying that the public would “be the judge” of any violent government action.
The response prompted one ruling party spokesman to go even further, suggesting that protesters could lose lives in the streets.
Sokha’s speech came a day after Defence Minister Tea Banh warned the CNRP and its supporters that there would be little tolerance this time around for post-election protests or calls for Hun Sen to step down – a reference to chants shouted by protesters following the 2013 national elections.
“When they lose the election, but refuse to accept and come demanding this and that, we will not allow it,” he said to party supporters in Siem Reap on Tuesday. “They will be beaten until their teeth come out.”
Speaking just before yesterday’s party leadership vote, at a meeting of female CNRP candidates in the fastapproaching commune elections, Sokha used the forum to jump on Banh’s comments.
“If they want to beat us until our teeth fall out, let the citizens be the judge of that,” he said. “If citizens like gentle [individuals], then vote for the CNRP.”
Banh’s comments have CONTINUED
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