Two Cambodian opposition politicians who were banned from politics get restrictions lifted
- Kong Korm and son Kong Bora had their bans lifted after the Cambodian king approved their application to restore their political rights
- The two were members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved in November 2017 on a contrived charge of conspiring with the US to overthrow PM Hun Sen’s government
A veteran Cambodian politician and his son on Wednesday became the first among 118 opposition members banned from politics for five years to have the restriction lifted.
Kong Korm and his son, Kong Bora, had their bans lifted when Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree approving their application for restoration of political rights.
The two were among the members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party who were banned from politics when the group was dissolved by court order in November 2017 on a contrived charge of conspiring with the United States to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government.
Speaking by telephone to The Associated Press on Wednesday, Kong Korm said he was delighted to have his ban lifted, and would continue in politics by joining the Khmer Will Party, which was formed last year before the election by another of his sons.
I am delighted to be back in Cambodia’s political arena again.
He described the party as representing new hope for Cambodians, espousing moderation rather than the “extremist” policies he attributed to the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party.