Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 8 – Kong Korm, former president of Sam Rainsy Party, has already submitted the letter of request to the Ministry of Interior today at about 10:30 a.m for political rights to re-enter politics after the amendment to political party law came into force, Kheiu Sopheak, spokesman of the ministry confirmed Wednesday.

“We are pleased with the amendments that will rehabilitate my political rights,” Korm told Fresh News Tuesday.

Kong Bora, a former lawmaker of the dissolved opposition party, announced yesterday that he will request for political rights on 9 January too. However, the spokesman said the ministry received only one request so far.

Although Sam Rainsy appealed to all 118 former CNRP officials not to request for political rights, Bora still chose to do.

The amended Article 45 of the Law on Political Parties stipulated that “Individual whom the court banned from doing political activities could not create a new party, or participate in any other political parties, or be a candidate for others to vote, or do any activities to support or oppose other parties. Individual whom the court banned from doing political activities will receive absolute rights to legally participate in political activities when banning expired as determined by the Supreme Court’s verdict, or in the case that individual has been rehabilitated by His Majesty King as requested by Prime Minister in accordance with the proposal of Minister of Interior.”

Korm, Bora, and other former CNRP officials in total of 118 were banned from engaging in political activities for five years when the Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP on 16 November last year for “attempting to overthrow the government through a colour revolution”.

= FRESH NEWS