CNRP Pray-In Gets Backing From Opposition Supporters

Opposition supporters have had varying reactions to the CNRP’s announcement Monday that a mass demonstration planned for this weekend would be framed as a day of prayer rather than protest, but said they would still turn out. And while the CNRP’s efforts to explain their decision, which they said was made following a letter from King Norodom Sihamoni calling for calm, seems to have convinced most of their supporters, some have expressed frustration on social media sites over the past two days. … Those concerns have been expressed on Facebook, where opposition supporters fear the CNRP may be backing down due to government pressure or is softening its demand to conduct an investigation into alleged irregularities in the July 28 election. “Hun Sen…scared of people power now, if protests don’t go ahead, he will win hands down and laugh,” wrote a Facebook user named Pha Chhorn. “This is his win-win, and the CNRP lose-lose. The CNRP already won, but they put up their hands for defeat—later on, Hun Sen will mock them…. Peo­ple all over the country can’t wait to go out for demos. This is the chance to act—no vacillation,” Pha Chhorn wrote. “I don’t think it’s going to work,” another Facebook user, Keo Dara, said of the CNRP’s plans for a prayer rally. … The vast majority of Facebook comments, however, were positive of the switch to prayer from protests, and opposition supporters in Phnom Penh and online were largely upbeat Tuesday, expressing their excitement over joining the CNRP on Saturday. “You can inform to all supporter of Hun Sen they can’t destroy the love we have for our country and the hunger we have for the Democracy! Mr. Kem Sokha and Mr. Sam Rainsy will be a leader for a Free Cambodia! Change We Can, Change it will be on September 7th!” wrote a Facebook user named Mara Seng on Tuesday. …

 Phorn Bopha and Colin Meyn
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/elections/cnrp-pray-in-gets-backing-from-opposition-supporters-41613/