Mps Directory
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DIRECTORY of the Third National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 Directory of the Third National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia First Edition © June 2005 We encourage you to copy part or all of this guide and to share it with others if you acknowledge its authors and seek their permission first. This publication may not be reproduced in part or in whole for commercial purposes. Directory of the 3rd National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 Table of Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms.............................................................4 Foreword.......................................................................................... 5 Brief History of the National Assembly................................................6 The Role of the National Assembly.....................................................7 The Role of Members of the National Assembly.................................8 Permanent Standing Committee of the National Assembly.............. 9 Commissions of the National Assembly..............................................10 The Legislative Process......................................................................14 National Assembly Contact Details...................................................18 The Secretariat (Office of the Secretary General)..............................19 Map of Constituencies................................................................... 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) by Alphabet........................................22 Members of Parliament (MPs) by Constituency..................................27 Profile of the National Assembly Members.........................................32 Profiles of the Members of Parliament (MPs).....................................33 Provincial/Constituency Offices...........................................................157 Relevant Provisions of the Constitution..............................................160 2003 Parliamentary Election Results..................................................166 Additional Resources..........................................................................168 Credits.................................................................................................169 3 Directory of the 3rd National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 Foreword Dear Readers, This first edition of the Directory of the National Assembly is designed to provide all citizens with the tools and information necessary to better understand the duties and responsibilities of the Cambodian National Assembly. As the people's representatives, Members of the National Assembly play a critical role in ensuring a vibrant democracy in the Kingdom of Cambodia. In the past, interaction between the National Assembly and Cambodian citizens has been limited. We believe that knowledge of each Member's education, legislative interests, and background, as well as the roles and responsibilities in the National Assembly will help create greater awareness and build bridges between the National Assembly and the Cambodian people. Creating this handbook involved the efforts of many individuals and organizations. We gratefully acknowledge and thank the following for their kind cooperation: Members of the National Assembly, the Secretary General of the National Assembly, the National Election Committee, and staff of the National Assembly. Sincerely, KOUL Panha HANG Puthea Executive Director Executive Director COMFREL NICFEC This publication was produced by the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL) in cooperation with Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (NICFEC) with technical assistance from Pact Cambodia. The publication was funded by the United Stated Agency for International Development (USAID) through the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI). Additional support was received from DanChurchAid, ICCO, ForumSyd, Oxfam Netherlands (NOVIB), Oxfam Hong Kong, Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), Trócaire Fund, The Asia Foundation (TAF), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). 5 Directory of the Third National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 Abbreviations and Acronyms Article (XX) Article of the Cambodian Constitution CPP Cambodian People's Party FUNCINPEC National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia H.R.H. His/Her Royal Highness MP Member of Parliament NA National Assembly N/A Not Available SRP Sam Rainsy Party Terminology Please note that the following terms are used interchangeably in the unofficial English trans- lation of the Cambodian Constitution. Standard Title Equivalent Titles Royal Government of Cambodia Government, Royal Government, Cabinet President of the National Assembly Chairman of the National Assembly Vice-President of the National Assembly Vice-Chairman of the National Assembly Members of the National Assembly Deputies, Members of Parliament, MPs Secretariat General Secretary’s Office, Office of the Secretary General Standing Committee Permanent Committee, Permanent Standing Committee Disclaimer Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of data presented in this handbook, and no omission or error was deliberate. Information contained in this Directory has been col- lected from the National Election Committee (NEC), Office of the Secretary General of the National Assembly and from the Members of the National Assembly themselves. Where we were unable to obtain the biographical data, we have indicated the omission. Accordingly, please feel free to contact us to report any errors or updates. Telephoning Cambodia from Overseas Please note that the international area code for Cambodia is 855. If you are calling a land- line or mobile telephone from outside the country, please drop the 0 from the start of all num- bers. (eg. 023 XXX become 855 23 XXX) 4 Directory of the Third National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 Brief History of the National Assembly The current National Assembly originated as the Constituent Assembly, a legislative body elected during the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). After the 1993 election, the Constituent Assembly met and adopted a new constitution for Cambodia. After enactment of the 1993 Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was renamed the National Assembly. Note: The Commission names above are based on the amendments by the National Assembly of 14 February 2005. 6 Directory of the 3rd National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 The Role of the National Assembly The primary function of the National Assembly is to adopt laws that will govern Cambodia. According to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia, legislation can be initiated by Members of the National Assembly, Senators, or the Prime Minister (Article 91 of the Cambodian Constitution). The Constitution also gives the National Assembly the power to hold accountable and question the Prime Minster and the Council of Ministers (Article 96). The National Assembly has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister, individual Ministers, or the Royal Government (Article 98). An Open, Public, and Transparent Legislative Process Transparency in lawmaking is a key element for any democracy. With rare exceptions, whenever proposed laws are discussed or votes are cast, the proceedings should be open for all citizens to observe. Otherwise, the public cannot adequately judge the quality of the decisions made by their elected representatives (Article 88). Rights of the Public in Cambodia Constitution - The National Assembly sessions shall be held in public (Article 88). - Laws that are signed by the King for promulgation shall be published in the official journal and announced to the public throughout the country (Article 93). Powers of the Assembly - Consists of at least 120 members (Article 76) - Meets twice a year for at least three months (Article 83) - Holds sessions in public - Adopts Laws that will govern Cambodia - Creates its own budget (Article 81) - Elects the Prime Minister and individual Ministers - Approves the national budget, loans, administrative accounts and all taxation measures (Article 90) - Oversees the actions of the Royal Government and requests explanations (Article 89) - Establishes Commissions to oversee the actions and check the spending power of the Royal Government - Censures or Dismisses individual members of the Royal Government or the entire Royal Government (Article 96/98) - Adopts or repeals treaties, International Conventions, and proclamations of war (Article 90) 7 Directory of the Third National Assembly of the Kingdom of Cambodia 2003 - 2008 The Role of Members of the National Assembly As direct representatives of the all Cambodians, not just their constituency, Members of the National Assembly play an important role in helping Cambodian citizens have a voice in the democratic process. Members are elected through a free, universal, equal, direct and secret ballot. Each Member serves for five years and may be re-elected. A Member has "parliamentary immunity" and cannot be prosecuted, detained or arrested because of opinions expressed during the exercise of his or her duties without special actions. (Article 80) Once elected, Members of the National Assembly have the power to: - Propose legislation for new laws or amendments to existing laws (Article 91) - Vote on the membership of Commissions (Article 82) - Ask Government to explain their policies or actions (Article 96) - Vote on legislation, international