The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 496
“Phnom Penh: After the surprise that the son of the former Khmer Republic President Lon Nol [1970 – 1975] entered politics in Cambodia, the question was raised whether Lon Rithi is the biological son of the former Khmer Republic president or not.
“The surprising news emerged after last week that there was a recently established party named Khmer Republic Party, whose president, Mr. Lon Rithi, was said to be a son of the former Khmer Republic president. But Mr. Ok Socheat, Samdech Krom Preah’s adviser, told Kampuchea Thmey that he knew that Mr. Lon Rithi, the president of the Khmer Republic Party, was not Lon Nol’s biological son. He briefly told Kampuchea Thmey that General Lon Nol had had five wives and seven children.
“Mr. Ok Socheat said that Mr. Lon Rithi was the adopted child of Her Excellency Chhiv who was popularly called Lady Kheng by the other ladies. Lady Kheng asked Her Excellency Rong, a Cambodian-Chinese from Kompong Trach in Kampot, hat she wanted to adopt Mr. Lon Rithi when he was three years old. During his childhood, Lon Rithi lived with General Lon Nol’s family.
“Mr. Ok Socheat added that Lady Kheng had no children; therefore, she adopted a child. Mr. Lon Nol’s first wife had a daughter named Neang Deth. After his first wife died, he married Lady Kheng, his second wife. Lady Kheng, Mr. Lon Rithi’s mother by adoption, had recently been the president of the newly founded Khmer Republic Party. His third wife was Vietnamese, Mr. Ok Socheat did not remember her name, but he knew that the third wife resided in the neighborhood of O’Russey Market. His fourth wife lived in the neighborhood of Chbar Ampov, and the fifth was an illegitimate wife. Therefore, he was not certain how many of General Lon Nol”s children survived.
“Currently, it was known that Mr. Lon Rithi has a business as a shareholder, living in California, USA. After the year 1975, General Lon Nol exiled himself to Hawaii, USA, together with his second wife, Lady Kheng. In 1985, General Lon Nol died in Hawaii. Afterwards, Mr. Lon Rithi, Lady Kheng”s adopted child, moved to California.
“Chuon Narong, the spokesperson of the Khmer Republic Party, stated that it was every individual’s right to express their opinion, speaking to those who said that Mr. Lon Rithi was not General Lon Nol’s biological son. However, as far as he knew, Mr. Lon Rithi was General Lon Nol’s real eldest child among his five children. Mr. Chuon Narong confirmed that Mr Lon Rithi is 47 years old. Therefore, it was not important whether he was Lon Nol’s child or not. What was most important was that he could lead his new party to win the upcoming 2008 elections.
“Mr. Chuon Narong further stated that it was a surprise to just a small group of people who said that Lon Rithi was not Lon Nol’s child, because they were afraid that Lon Nol’s family would probably receive the majority in the upcoming election.
“Ok Socheat said that the Republicans showed up and engaged in politics again, urging the members of the royal family to stay out of politics. However, the Norodom Ranariddh Party, a party of royalists, was not afraid of this competition, because it was already known that this party, when Lon Rithi’s party stands for election, it will fail.
“Khieu Kanharith, the Cambodian People’s Party spokesperson, said that the constitution provided the basis for the Monarchy. Therefore, no regime can dissolve the Monarchy; only if there were a coup, the Monarchy could be abolished.
“Mr. Khieu Kanharith added that Cambodia adheres to a multi-party system of democracy – any party can stand for election, because the people decide the fate of the parties. It is known that the Khmer Republic Party is a new party that is presided over by Lon Nol’s son, but this party’s policy is not to overthrow the Monarchy. All parties can compete for the people’s votes.
“Mr. Sam Rainsy, the president of the opposition party, told Kampuchea Thmey that he was not afraid of the Republicans nor of non-republicans; any political party could stand for election. He said that he supports this party because every Khmer person has the right to express their opinion and to form their political party.
“Mr. Sam Rainsy added that any party is acceptable that is legal, non-violent, non-discriminatory, and adheres to a non-alliance stand.
“Mr. Sam Rainsy stated his last position that he supported this party which was established because those who decided so were people and politicians who did not need to be afraid whether they were Royalists or Republicans. However, he also said that what he hoped for most was that the country has full democracy and fairness so that the majority of the people’s votes are the main priority, and they will win with dignity.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1273, 22.2.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 22 February 2007
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1273, 22.2.2007
- Lon Rithi Is Not the Biological Son of the Former Khmer Republic President Lon Nol
- Hok Lundy Donates Assistance to Five Orphans in the Poipet Area [50 kg of rice, 2 cases of noodles, 100 cans of tuna fish, through an police inspector in O’Chrov]
Khmere Thmeiy, Vol.14, #343, 21-22.2.2007
- There Is Collusion to Allow Foreigners to Build Guest Houses on the Beach of O’Treh [Sihanoukville] and Nobody Has Interdicted It
- Income From Oil and Natural Gas Will Push Cambodia to Fall into Greater Corruption [Cambodia may have $6 billion per year from oil and gas]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5973, 21.2.2007
- Warrant to Bring Krom Preah to Court Issued; Norodom Ranariddh Party Announced that 10,000 Members Will Have a Massive Non-violent Demonstration
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4217, 21 February 2007
- Boeng Salang Primary School Students Are Considered to Be Example of Taking Care Well of Their School [citation provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Students do not wear shoes into class, and they are not allowed to bring water into classroom]
- Samdech Hun Sen Shows His Intention to Place Labor Attachés at some Cambodian Embassies to Help Cambodian Laborers [who are working in different countries: to knows their numbers and places of work better]
- Municipality Asks Those Who Live in Boeng Kak Area to Be Calm [as the company to displace them has not done anything yet, said Mr. Pa Socheatavong, deputy governor]
- Victims, Who Got Cheated by Promise of Getting Sent to Work in Korea, Ask Samdech Chea Sim for Intervention [name of Senate President Chea Sim had been used to cheat $600 each from victims in Kompong Chhnag, mortgaging their houses to secure money from local banks]
- Wife of the Phnom Penh Governor Met Female Candidates of Commune Elections in Dangkor District [she encouraged that if those women get elected, they should properly serve their communities]
Reach Seima, Vol.2, #155, 22.2.2007
- National Election Committee Does Not Allow Prince Thomico’s Party to Campaign, Unless Some Policy Statements Are Changed [one of them reads: “liberate the country from the control of a foreign power”]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #335, 22.2.2007
- Hun Sen Ordered the Ministry of Justice to Find Out Who Is Behind the Release of Leang Huor Hotel Owner [who had been arrested early February 2007. The Prime Minister called the release a shame – the Leang Huor Hotel was formerly called Chay Huor II and was in the center of allegations of human trafficking]
