Phnom Penh (FN), May 4 -  The Minister of the Interior, Sar Kheng, stated that the rejection of the three vice presidents of the Cambodia National Rescue’s Party (CNRP) is purely a legal matter, not a political matter.

He reiterated this position after being criticized from a number of politicians and analysts.

The criticisms claim that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) is trying to distract the CNRP from the upcoming election.

CNRP senior officials recently asked the MoI to help them meet the political party’s criteria.

“I am carrying out my duty. The party should follow the political party’s criteria. My job is not to instruct them what to do,” said Sar Kheng.

“The opposition party shall follow their political party’s criteria. This is strictly a legal issue, not political theatre," he added.

The MoI has yet to recognize the CNRP’s Vice Presidents – Pol Ham, Mu Sochua, and Eng Chhay Eang.

The MoI, however, has recognized the CNRP’s amendment made to Article 47 yesterday that allows for the CNRP to select new Vice Presidents at any time.

The previous rule stipulated that VPs must be selected within 30 days, according to Eng Chhay Eang, a CNRP senior official.
=FRESH NEWS