King nominates senators, transfers authority, before leaving for China

Kong Meta and Ben Sokhean | Publication date 22 February 2018 | 13:01 ICT

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King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Monineath Sihanouk, leaving today for China, are seen off by high ranking government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen. Pha Lina

King Norodom Sihamoni’s Senate nominations were announced this morning, just as he left the country for Beijing after transferring his authority to sign new controversial legal amendments to acting head of state and CPP Senate President Say Chhum.

The official reason given for the King and Queen Mother Monineath Sihanouk’s departure was a routine medical check-up, although Sihamoni has recently made a habit of leaving the country when contentious laws are due to be signed into effect.

“Our King leaves for China as scheduled by the Chinese medical doctor ... As usual, no problem with his health. He could be there for a month,” said Oum Daravuth, a member of Royal Palace cabinet. Daravuth predicted Sihamoni would return by Khmer New Year.

The King’s departure comes in the wake of the Senate’s approval of a new lèse majesté law and a series of constitutional amendments. Rights groups, including the United Nations, have warned that the laws threaten freedom of speech, political participation and the press.

Senate spokesman Mam Bun Neang said Sihamoni transferred his authority as head of state to Chhum upon departure.

The laws will be reviewed by the Constitutional Council to ensure they are in “accordance” with the charter, before being given to Chhum to sign.

Bun Neang denied that the King left the country to avoid approving the controversial legislation.

In a royal decree signed February 19 and made public today, the King nominated his half-sister and former Funcinpec President Norodom Arun Rasmey to the Senate, along with Oum Somanin.

The Senate election will be held on Sunday, with local commune officials and National Assembly representatives voting on 58 of the 62 seats. Of the remaining four, the King nominates two while the National Assembly exclusively selects two more. After the dissolution of the only viable opposition party and the redistribution of its elected positions, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party has more than enough representatives to win all 60 elected seats.