Cambodian King opens new parliament despite opposition boycott

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Monday presided over the opening session of the fifth legislature of the National Assembly, which was attended by only the ruling party’s elected lawmakers as the opposition’s elected legislators boycotted it. Sixty-eight elected lawmakers from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen were present at the opening session, while all the 55 legislators from the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy did not attend. … Security has been tightened and anti-riot police have been deployed along streets in the city with barbed wire barricades being used to block roads surrounding key government’s buildings, the Royal Palace, and the National Assembly. “We have used thousands of security forces to ensure security and public order during the session,” National Military Police spokesman Kheng Tito told Xinhua, adding that protests are not allowed during these days. … According to the official schedule, a new government led by Hun Sen will be formed on Tuesday.

 Nzweek News Staff
http://www.nzweek.com/world/cambodian-king-opens-new-parliament-despite-opposition-boycott-81975/