Nguon Nhel Warned to Sue Opposition Lawmakers

On Wednesday, September 1, 2010 First Deputy President of the National Assembly Nguon Nhel reportedly considered lodging a complaint against Sam Rainsy Party lawmakers for defamation related to his 71 advisers.

The attempt of such lawsuits came out after a group of 13 opposition parliamentarians on August 27, 2010 sent a letter to Mr. Heng Samrin, the National Assembly president to inform that at present Nguon Nhel has excessive number of up to 71 personal advisors. Out of those advisers, many are his relatives. For instance, Nhem Thavy, a lawmaker from Kampong Thom province and is also the brother-in-law of Mr. Nguon Nhel. The purpose of sending the letter was to ask the National Assembly president helps investigate this irregularity and transparency of the government’s expense on that; and to request Mr. Nguon Nhel to explain the case.

For this number of advisers, the letter said, the Cambodian government pays a total of 112 million riels (about $US26, 730) in the expense of their salary each month.

Heng Samrin, the president of the National Assembly, wrote a note back to Nguon Nhel to say that having advisors was the indubitable rights of all officials at the leadership level, based on the law.

However, Mr. Ho Vann, one of SRP lawmakers, said Thursday, September 2 that the group did not have any intention to defame the first deputy of the National Assembly at all. It was only a question about transparent work in the National Assembly for parliamentarians and citizens.