PHNOM PENH: The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) held a two-day Central Committee meeting on Saturday, 16 July, at the CPP Headquarters in Phnom Penh, to review past work and determine the direction for future tasks.

The Honorary President of the Party, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, said at the opening of the Party Congress that the results of the implementation of the direction, principles, policies, guidelines and decisions of the central committee have made the party's leadership role more prominent both in the country and abroad. He added that the success of the 5th Commune / Sangkat Council Election in 2022 confirms that the Cambodian people still need the role of the CPP to lead Cambodia.

He highlighted some of the characteristics of the CPP, saying it is a party that is politically correct, has the support of the people, has a strong organizational structure, human resources with good virtues and abilities, solidarity and strong internal unity and the right way of working.

“All of this allows us to overcome all difficulties, especially to defeat the tactics of extremist opponents who always try to destroy the leadership of the Cambodian People's Party," he said.

The Honorary President stated that the object of the discussion of the Party Congress at this time is to identify the reasons and effects that led to the results of this year's Commune / Sangkat Council Election, in order to motivate the party to win the 2023 National Assembly election as well.

“The way our party works, when we have completed each of the major tasks, we always come together to experiment to find strengths and weaknesses for the next implementation," he said. "From now on, I would like to remind you that every event that happens in society has its cause and effect. There is a cause, there is an effect, and the effect becomes a new cause and then there is a new effect. This relationship of cause and effect is endless.”

Deputy President and Secretary-General of the Party, Senate President Say Chhum, stated that the 5th Mandate Commune / Sangkat Council Election held on 5 June 2022 reflected the maturity of the multi-party liberal democratic process in Cambodia, in line with the Constitution and laws of Cambodia. This success also shows the strong support received by the party from the people, however, he said the party should not be too proud of the results and meanwhile underestimate its rivals.

"We must not be too proud of this election result, we need to know ourselves and our opponents clearly, understand the obstacles and difficulties that need to be overcome and continue to act relentlessly, effectively in implementing political programs, in building party consolidation, in serving the people, and in trying to eliminate inactivity, which all makes it so that people at the grassroots level ensure a solid foundation for our party's victory," he said.

During the opening ceremony Party President, Prime Minister Hun Sen, also had some suggestions to give.

After winning the 5th Mandate Commune / Sangkat Council election, the CPP decided to hold a Central Committee meeting on 9-10 July, however, it was postponed for a week to 16-17 July.

The results of the recent Commune / Sangkat Council Election showed the CPP winning an overwhelming majority of the vote, with more than 5.3 million votes in total, leading to the control of 1,648 Commune / Sangkat Chiefs, equivalent to 99.76% of the total 1,652 communes.

^{PHOTO: KOK KY}