The inaugural session of the
5th Mandate Senate opened by King Norodom Sihamoni yesterday saw former Prime
Minister Hun Sen and whcurrent President of the Supreme Privy Council of the
King , elected as Senate President, while former Foreign Affairs Minister Prak
Sokhonn and former Senior Minister Ouch Borith were voted in as First and
Second Vice-Presidents, respectively.
Mr Hun Sen, Sokhonn, and Borith all received a vote of
confidence from the 62 members of the Senate, of which, 55 are politicians from
the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), and three from the Khmer Will Party
(KWP), namely President Sok Hach, Vice-President Seng Marady, and
Secretary-General Kong Monika.
Of the four remaining Senators, two members were appointed by
the National Assembly, namely Sok Eysan and Heng Halim, while Prince Sisowath
Thomico and Princess Norodom Arunrasmy were appointed by the King.
All 62 Senators and Senate leaders of the fifth legislature were
sworn in at the Royal Palace before the King and Supreme Patriarchs of the two
Buddhist sects yesterday.
In his opening remarks, the King asked the newly-elected Senate
to work and create a balance to protect the country’s peace, independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as safeguard the nation’s
constitution and monarchy.
“Strong national unity and the protection of all national social
achievements for stability must go hand in hand with the promotion of national
honour and prestige in the regional and global framework,” he said.
He added that as the representative of the Commune Council, the
Senate of the fifth legislature must contribute to social democratisation at
all administrative levels for the effective allocation of functions, resources
and responsibilities. He also asked Senators to work towards improving the
quality and efficiency of public service delivery and sustainable and
environmental development.
“The Senate must protect the common interest and social justice
for social equity, respect for rights, freedoms, beliefs and dignity for all
people, and to improve the quality of life by ensuring long-term happiness and
harmony in the family, community, and society as a whole,” the King added.
In his first speech as the new Senate President, Hun Sen said he
was accepting the position with the greatest honour.
“I accept this highest responsibility with determination and
full awareness of the deep importance in the process of building and
strengthening a young democracy as well as in preserving the fundamental values
of our society,” he said.
He said that he is committed to respecting the Constitution,
defending the monarchy, the development of the nation, and the well-being of
the people.
During his remarks, Mr Hun Sen expressed his appreciation to
Senators for giving him and the two Vice-Presidents honour and confidence.
“Fifty-four years ago, as a young man, I joined the maqui
(forest), following the calling of His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk,” he said. “At
the age of 32, I became the Prime Minister, and now, at the age of 72, I am the
President of the Senate.”
Sok Eysan, a Senator and CPP spokesman, said only the CPP
nominated candidates for President and Vice-Presidents.
He added that the Senate includes members from the opposition
party, and all members of the Senate have the same duties and responsibilities
as set out in the Constitution to review, comment on, and adopt draft
legislation submitted by the National Assembly.
“The action plan of the new Senate will be more effective and
improved than the previous mandate due to the presence of senior figures of the
Cambodian People’s Party to organise and lead the Senate,” Eysan said.
Kong Monika, Senator and KWP Secretary-General, said the KWP
will focus on the well-being of the people, especially the people who face
difficulties and injustices.
He added, “We will look at all legislation that affects or
burdens the people, and make recommendations to the Senate or the government
for improvements. We also monitor the implementation of all legislation to
ensure that they are properly implemented in accordance with the approval of
the legislature.”
Monika added that in the previous mandate, senators were all
members of the CPP, but for this new term, the Senate includes the KWP.
He added that although the party only represents a small number
of votes in the Senate, he remains optimistic that the KWP members will have an
impact on Cambodia’s democratic process.
Yang Peou, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia,
said Mr Hun Sen has not only assembled renowned figures in the Senate but has
also consolidated their presence within the body, thereby improving efficiency
and strength compared to the previous Senate. In addition to its legislative
duties, the Senate will prioritise strengthening international relations and
promoting foreign affairs to elevate Cambodia on the global stage.
Peou added that the inclusion of the opposition in the new
Senate aligns with democratic principles. However, the KWP Senators were a
minority and wielded limited influence in Senate decisions.
The first Senate session was held on March 25, 1999, and the first election was
held on January 22, 2006. Since its creation, before the election of Mr Hun Sen
yesterday, the Senate had been led by the late CPP President Chea Sim from
March 25, 1999 to June 8, 2015, and current CPP Vice-President Say Chhum from
June 9, 2015 until yesterday.
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