Panitan urges minister scrutiny

An international relations expert has called on Thailand to closely monitor the appointment of new cabinet ministers in Cambodia.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of political science, said he was certain that Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia for 28 years, would announce a cabinet shake-up after his party’s poor showing in Sunday’s election.

In unofficial results, Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party won 68 seats in the 123-seat parliament to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party’s (CNRP) 55, a loss of 22 seats for the ruling party.

The results came despite the exclusion of CNRP leader Sam Rainsy, who was barred from contesting the poll.

It was the worst election result for the ruling party since 1998.

Mr Panitan said the CPP losing ground was a sign that Cambodian voters wanted change in their country.

He said CNRP voters could be divided into three groups — those who were tired with Hun Sen’s administration; a new generation of young voters; and those who wanted to see more transparent governance.

‘‘I think this is a transition period for Cambodia. It is not an easy task for Hun Sen to administer the country with his absolute power,’’ Mr Panitan said.

‘‘If he does not know how to use his power, he will face many problems in his government. However, I believe he may give opportunities to new ones [MPs] to become cabinet ministers.’’

Mr Panitan said during Cambodia’s transition period, the Thai government and Asean should closely monitor the country’s political appointments and international policies, as he believed they could affect regional stability.

Meanwhile, a Thai diplomatic source said he was surprised by the CPP’s declining popularity. However, the source believed Hun Sen’s victory in the polls should ensure Cambodia’s relations with Thailand will remain unchanged.

He said if the Thai government can survive its full term, both countries would be able to resolve lingering issues and disputes.

The source said Hun Sen had used the Preah Vihear temple dispute, on which the International Court of Justice is due to rule in October, to drum up support in the election lead-up.

The issue will remain in the minds of Cambodians as it has been used to exploit nationalistic sentiment, the source said.