KNUP members defect
the prime minister told ministers] to ask.”
Anotherdefectorwhorequested anonymity said he heard the positions of all government officials from the KNUP were on the chopping block. “They asked me too – asked which party [I supported],” he said.
Bun Chhay split from the royalist Funcinpec party last year and started the KNUP, taking several officials with him.
His party officials were given government roles in 2013 while still with Funcinpec, though the party failed to win a single seat at that year’s national election.
Uncertain about their fate, many members of Funcinpec have also reached out to the Council of Ministers, said one royalist who works as an adviser to the government, adding that members of the main royalist party remained safe.
“If we stay with [Funcinpec] there is no problem, but for those staying with Nhek Bun [the Chhay, they will all be stripped,” said the official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity.
Bun Chhay could not be reached yesterday. His assistant, Mak Chhea, said he was unaware of the defections.
On Tuesday, Voice of America quoted CNRP Deputy President Eng Chhay Eang saying that the KNUP leader had called him before the election and offered to tell his supporters to vote for the opposition in communes where KNUP did not have a candidate. Bun Chhay denied making the pledge, saying he accidentally called Chhay Eang and thought he was speaking to a member of his party with a similar name.
Analyst Cham Bunthet said it appeared the CPP saw “no more benefit” to allowing Bun Chhay to continue his party, especially after the recent rumours. “Nhek Bun Chhay’s party is a party that was used to break the support from the opposition party, but once they have no more effect . . . it’s time for them to leave Nhek Bun Chhay aside.”