Sam Rainsy present at the opening ceremony

Cambodge Soir

24-09-2008

The opposition leader who had declared his intention to boycott the first session of the National Assembly joined the opening ceremony on Wednesday 24 September at 8am.

Sam Rainsy renounced to boycott the opening ceremony of the 24th of September despite his threats since the announcement of the election results of the 27th of July.

The SRP Leader, who had stated that he would travel to his Kampong Cham district on the day of the swearing-in, joined the National Assembly in order to be present at the ceremony presided by King Norodom Sihamoni, with other deputies of his party.

While most deputies were wearing their ceremony costumes, Sam Rainsy listened to the King’s speech wearing civilian clothes.

Kem Sokha, President of the Human Rights Party, shunned the ceremony, as well as the two other elected representatives of his party. The three HRP deputies stayed outside the Assembly.

The King has congratulated the elected representatives on their election and gave them some advice during a speech which lasted about fifteen minutes. “Cambodia has to follow the way of democracy, of good governance, and has to improve its legal system”, declared Norodom Sihamoni.