H.E.Sam Rainsy is kneeling down to kiss his motherland (land, soil and earth). Of course, Cambodia land is belonging to every Cambodian. But his gesture in love and homesick by such kneeling down, kissing the ground and in tears dropping down in the moment tells every Cambodian that “the bone and blood of our ancestors have become this land for all Cambodians to live till today”.
All Cambodians must love this land, take care this land and sacrifice for this land at any margin of life cost.
I could not stop my tears and I must wipe them out several times…I think you all experience the same.
If we are honest and ready to sacrifice for our beloved land, our name and our cause will be immortal. More than that, the expression of H.E.Sam Rainsy is a sign of winning at all struggles.
Lord Buddha pointed to the land as his witness when Mara (devils) tried to claim back his seat of Enlightenment. Finally, Mara was defeated and Buddha fulfilled his Attainment.
I have a dream! One day, Cambodia shall become an admirable democratic country. My hope has rested on Cambodian nationalists especially YOUTHS who are the young bamboo-shoot of this wonder land. As a student of political science focusing on field research of political culture and political leadership, I would like to propose two research questions with below abstract introduction:
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Why am I a democrat focusing on CHANGE?
– Lord Buddha is my supreme teacher. His teaching is supreme for me. His last advice before the enlightenment was “Everything is subject to change, so strive on with your heedfullness”. He also expounded the Three Characteristics of the Beings: “Impermanence (Annicam), Decaying (Dhukkham), and Non-substantiality (Anatta)” in which CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE are the reality to insure the pathway to ENLIGHTENMENT.
– Thomas Hobbs who is an ancient political scientist criticized the existence of divine state or divine leader. To justify the ambition for a long lasting power, the leader has always declared herself/himself divine (or savior in some context). Hobbs analysed such character is like a Leviathan or a monster that can reincarnate from a normal human being to be divine/super being. According to Hobbs CHANGE is in need for the absence of divinity.
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– Aristotle who is also an ancient political scientist advocated for the Rule of Many. He rejected both so-called absolute monarchy or aristocrats (or patronage system in modern pseudo democratic countries). To efficiently implement the Rule of Many, the CHANGE of leader is imperative.
– Democratic principles essentially concentrate on limited power, mandating on term of power holding or disregarding the ambition to stay in power forever from any political figures. So CHANGE is a must to fully undertake the value of democracy.
Why am I dreaming on the power of Khmer youths?
– Cambodia has been known for her past glory and invaluable civilization. Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom are the two unrivaled evidence of human’s success. Those enormous monuments are the great legacy of how Khmers are well-known for their talent, endurance and supremacy. Young Khmer people are the descendants of their Angkorean ancestors.
– The year zero of 1975-1979 was another evidence of the ugliest revolutionary regime in the history of mankind. It is very contrast, dichotomous, and reflective to the great civilization of Angkor. While many observers criticized on this ugly, their mind also reflects on the devotion, hardship and endurance to do such unbelievable thing. The gene must be so extreme and so indigenous.
– Watching the rally video clip here, the shouting of CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE, the crowded enthusiasts, the applauded sympathizers, the noisy and cheerful people on the rally, and the peaceful election campaign within this political culture, surely offered me optimism, trust and hope.
Now, the futurists, the pragmatists and the traditionalists are at the state of strategic debate on the return to Cambodia of H.E.Sam Rainsy this July 19, 2013 after receiving a pardoned letter from the King of Cambodia.
The Futurists
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The pardon is not something new as this same incident has been normal in Cambodian politics and it is not the genuine pardoning as the rationals behind this pardoning was politically motivated. So it is logically said politically motivated pardoning. The most recent calculation of this procedure has been referred to previous pardoning when H.E.Sam Rainsy returned to Cambodia, the deal of 50+1 of the lawmakers to ably form the government was achieved. This time, the scenario might be different but at the same leverage of political advantage. The pressure from the international community especially the special resolution of the white-house’s subcommittees of the United States and the omnipresent rallies of oversea Cambodians worldwide are not a comedy for the Cambodian People’s Party to procrastinate this pardon. The futurists concern the term of national reconciliation has been beneficially used by the ruling party to gain the vote especially this party can mobilize this concept via their dominant mass media. However, the ruling party is stunted by the growing support in a daily basis of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) by those youths and street watchers. At first, the supports were only from silent heart but it has become loudly shouting, to 7 fingers signaling, to providing supplies such as money, food, water as well as to join the daily rally with the CNRP.
Futurists also calculate the possibility of coalition government or continue to lead the strongest opposition as CNRP surely doubles its lawmaker seats if this party couldn’t afford to win during this term.
Futurists also calculate on the aging leaders and the building up of young leaders within both CPP and CNRP. Strategically speaking, this scenario is about the reforming from inside out, not outside in for both parties.
The Pragmatists
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The argument for this side is about the realistic situation happening in Cambodia right now. The unification of Sam Rainsy Party and Human Rights Party to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) is a very attractive scenario for the perception of Khmer unity and national reconciliation. As the matter of fact, many democratic particles of the world especially those are well-known in Cambodia such as the Association of Cambodia Democrats led by Mam Sonando, the Teacher Association of Cambodia led by Rong Chun, the Free Trade Union led by Chea Mony etc. have gradually declared to support and vote for the CNRP. These movements don’t include those business tycoons and individual Cambodians especially youths have been cheerfully expressing support to the CNRP. For the opposition party who has survived by the financial support from oversea Cambodians, this time is busier than other time for those diaspora around the world to donate money, to petition and to rally with the heartfelt support to the CNRP.
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Eventually, a deal has been made on the spirit of national unity and INCLUSIVE POLITICS in Cambodia. In the same day of pardoning letter requested by the Prime Minister, the King signed a pardon on July 12, 2103 to ensure safe return of prominent opposition leader, H.E. Sam Rainsy, president of the largest opposition party: Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) to his political career.
Needless to say on the inquiry of both Cambodians and national communities, the presence of H.E.Sam Rainsy in Cambodia is imperative for fair and free election of this upcoming national election July 28, 2013. But his just return is meaningless to this NATIONAL ELECTION if he is not included into the voting list and electoral candidate. Inclusive politics would be the feasibility of including H.E.Sam Rainsy into the voting list and eligibility of running an electoral candidate within this time constraint.
National unity means inclusion. Exclusion is not an element for any unity process. Putting the interests of the nation first is the soundest scenario and it challenges the behavior of greed, nepotism and fear. National Election Committee (NEC) will be the important player to ensure that Cambodia is heading towards the INCLUSIVE UNITY by ensuring fair and free election to including H.E.Sam Rainsy into the electoral candidate at this time.
By Sophoan Seng, founder of Leadership Skills and Freelancer
Posted in Culture, Economics, Education, KR Trial, Leadership, Politics, Researches, Social
