A member of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) lawmakers Wednesday suggested the formation of a tripartite commission to study the controversial additional border treaty with Vietnam.
In a letter to the National Assembly President Norodom Ranariddh, Son Chhay asked the latter to consider forming a special commission that would include the SRP lawmakers to look into the border treaty carefully before sending it to the whole house for ratification.
The Cambodian National Assembly has 9 commissions, none of which includes the opposition lawmakers. Chairman of the National Defense Commission Monh Saphan of the FUNCINPEC party said the SRP's request for a special commission to go look at the border treaty can not be done because there are already 9 commissions that look at the government's bills.
Chairman of the Finance and Banking Commission Cheam Yeap of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) said it's not necessary to form another commission because opposition lawmakers have the rights to participate, ask questions, and make suggestions in any commission's hearing.
Many non-governmental organizations and civil societies urge the government to hold public forums to explain the additional treaty with Vietnam to the public with the participation of the opposition party.