• Politics

GPD Senior Member Sam Inn joins CPP

• By Teng Yalirozy
• April 3, 2023 12:50 PM

PHNOM PENH – Grassroots Democratic Party (GDP) co-founder Sam Inn has joined the ruling party Cambodian People’s Party and will be appointed to the job he sought as secretary of state at the Environment Ministry.

“I intend to join and help the Environment Ministry as I have the skills, knowledge, experiences, and passion for the work,” Sam Inn wrote in a letter dated April 2 to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Sam Inn, who has a doctorate in forest policy from Germany, made the announcement on April 2 on his Facebook page.

He said the decision came from his understanding of the government’s Rectangular Strategy and the work of the ministry, which contributed to natural resource protection and poverty reduction.

“I request to join the political life with the Cambodian People’s Party to be given an opportunity to help the government and the Environment Ministry to support the protected area communities, eco-tourism development, and natural resource management,” he said.

Hun Sen warmly welcomed Inn, who had been GDP chairman and a member of its board of directors, to the CPP.

“As the head of the government, I will request a Royal Decree appointing Sam Inn, Secretary of State for the Ministry of Environment in accordance with the skills he has and can do,” he wrote in his official Telegram channel.

Sam Inn unveiled six points to improve the livelihood of the locals in the natural protected areas which he submitted to Hun Sen and the environment minister.

“I know I cannot do everything I want, but at least I can do some things that benefit the conservation and protection of natural resources for local people,” he wrote on his Facebook page on April 3.

GPD chairman Yeng Virak said the party did not condemn or prohibit its members from seeking shelter for a new political life.

The party did not mix up personal affairs with the political work of the party, which could hinder the party’s mission toward democracy, he said.

“However, I would like to assure all members and supporters that I will not leave,” said Virak. “I will redouble my efforts as the party president to achieve our goals and policies, restoring the principles of democracy in Cambodia.”

He said that the party would maintain the strongest position for the outstanding candidates in the newly elected commune councils and support their performances in this fifth mandate.

Prok Vanny, GDP co-founder and chairwoman of the conflict resolution and discipline committee, said five members had left and joined the CPP.

She said the party always respects the decision of its members. It is inevitable that the departure caused unhappiness but it was a personal decision. The party would still take part in the election despite the departure of core members.

“We have considered and prepared the human resources, budget, and political campaign,” said Vanny, assuring that the respective and former members still support and respect each other.

Last November, former GDP leader Yang Saing Koma asked to continue his political life with the CPP, being appointed Secretary of State of the Ministry of Agriculture and a minister attached to the prime minister.

Loek Sothea, GDP spokesperson and deputy secretary​, executive chairman Khat Sothy and secretary-general Sem Hak also joined CPP.

The GDP was formed in 2015 and participated in the 2018 national election but did not win a seat in the National Assembly. It won only six seats in the 2022 communal election.