5 more former Cambodian opposition politicians allowed to re-enter politics

PHNOM PENH, March 19 (Xinhua) -- Another five of the 118 former Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) senior members, banned from politics in late 2017, were allowed to return to politics on Tuesday, according to royal decrees.

Cambodia's acting Head of State Samdech Say Chhum signed five separate royal decrees to restore their political rights, a day after their requests to Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen through the Ministry of Interior.

The five are former CNRP lawmakers Ou Chanrath, Kang Kimhak, Chiv Kakta, Tep Sothy and former party board member Chan Seila.

Say Chhum, president of the Senate, has served as the acting head of state since Sunday as King Norodom Sihamoni is in China for a regular medical check-up.

To date, nine of the 118 have had their banned political rights lifted after filing requests, while one has died.

The restoration of their political freedom came after the country's parliament amended in December the Law on Political Parties to allow banned politicians to return to politics.

Under the legal change, King Norodom Sihamoni can pardon banned politicians at the request of the prime minister.

In November 2017, the Supreme Court barred 118 former CNRP senior members from politics for five years after it dissolved the party following the arrest of party president Kem Sokha on "treason" charges.

Sokha, 65, is currently on bail at his home in capital Phnom Penh awaiting trial.