The National Assembly’s Permanent Committee has scheduled January 31 as the date to debate amending article 48, an action that would strip acting CNRP president Kem Sokha of his role as minority leader. The decision was made in a meeting yesterday and was supported by 10 permanent committee members of the ruling CPP at the request of its 50 MPs despite the disagreement of the two CNRP permanent committee members who took part in the meeting. CPP lawmaker Chheang Vun told reporters on January 23 that the CPP observed disloyalty on behalf of the opposition, which intended to use the role of minority leader to force the ruling party to release prisoners. By doing so, he added, the judiciary would be violated. “The reason behind the amendment is because the CNRP always forces the CPP to release prisoners by negotiation,” he said.

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