PHNOM PENH: Over the last two days, three prominent opposition activists apologized to the Prime Minister and two of them joined the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). All were forgiven by CPP President and Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Suong Sophorn, president of the Khmer Win party and a former anti-government activist, released a video requesting to join the CPP on April 30, so that he may contribute to the country's development with the ruling party. The Prime Minister then nominated him to be appointed Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers by the King less than 12 hours after his video’s release.

On May 1 Kien Ponlok, a former CNRP official and secretary general of the Cambodian Federation of Intellectual Students, released a video apologizing to the Prime Minister and also asked to join the CPP. He too was welcomed into the party by the Prime Minister and given a position in Takeo province, where he lives.

Ear Channa, who was arrested in 2022 in connection with conspiracy, was released on bail on the evening of May 1, less than five hours after releasing a video apologizing to the Prime Minister. He went on to wish the Prime Minister and his wife good health, strength, and success.

The CPP has gained quite a few former opposition members recently including Yang Saing Koma, Sam Inn and Sem Hak. In April, former CNRP members Yim Sinorn and Hun Kosal joined the CPP and were appointed to senior government positions after the Prime Minister granted their release from prison.