Phnom Penh (FN), June 12 – Fresh News, on Tuesday, held a special interview with Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong over the convict former opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who compared his exile case to that of King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

Deputy Prime Minister said that Rainsy’s comparison was foolish. Rainsy, running away from the court’s punishment, claimed that he exiled himself abroad for the sake of rescuing the nation as in the case of King Father Norodom Sihanouk in March 1970 coup d'etat.

Hor Namhong added it was a clear insult that Rainsy’s called His Majesty’s royal letter a forgery.

Below is a special interview between Fresh News CEO Lim Chea Vutha and former Cambodian Foreign Affairs Minister Hor Namhong on the two cases:

Lim Chea Vutha: H.E, could you explain the case that Sam Rainsy compared himself to King Father?

Deputy Prime Minister: Rainsy’s comparison was the most stupid thing. King Father was a legitimate Head of State. The coup d'etat had brought wars and destructions. As Prime Minister Hun Sen mentioned, without the coup d'etat in March 1970, Cambodia would be substantially developed. Contrary to Sam Rainsy case, his party is treacherous; they plotted the color revolution that would bring social chaos.

Lim Chea Vutha: What do you think about Rainsy’s calling King's letter “urging people to go to vote” a forgery?

Deputy Prime Minister: I did not think he insulted the royal message, but he insulted His Majesty whom people nationwide respect. This is the betrayal of the former opposition leader; his act betrayed people who possess full rights to go to vote for the representative to lead the nation. Rainsy’s act indeed betrayed the king, the nation, and people.
=FRESH NEWS