Khmer Times/Taing Vida Monday, 25 July 2016
Thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh yesterday for the funeral procession of prominent political commentator Kem Ley, who was murdered earlier this month in what many believe was a political assassination.
Average citizens, young and old, joined unions, civil society activists, NGO employees and many others in the massive march toward Mr. Ley’s hometown in Takeo province.
Participants in the march, many of whom were dressed in the traditional white and black clothes for funerals, held photos of Mr. Ley along with signs and placards with quotes from him. “Wipe the tears, continue the journey,” was a popular phrase written on a number of signs seen as tens of thousands of people followed the truck carrying Mr. Ley’s body.
Politicians from a variety of political parties attended the procession to show solidarity and express their condolences.
The procession carrying Mr. Ley’s body started from Wat Chas on schedule at 7am – his body had been lying in Wat Chas for funeral rites since his murder – and the procession wound its way through the capital to Mr. Ley’s final resting place in his hometown in Takeo province, where the outspoken democracy and human rights advocate was born and raised.
The procession stretched many kilometers behind the monks on the truck carrying Mr. Ley’s body and many mourners gathered along the side of the road to watch the procession while police officers tried to manage the traffic and keep it moving.
Ya Pho, an official at the Education Ministry, woke up early to travel by motorcycle from Kampong Cham province to join the funeral procession. She said she saw Mr. Ley as a mentor and a fountain of knowledge who used workshops and educational events to share his heart.
“Ley was a hero for me. He used to teach me in his workshop. It’s a huge loss to the nation. I would of course follow his footsteps to be a good person and help our country. I hope that the young generation will remember him, take his example, and participate in social development and justice that must be found for him,” Ms. Pho said.
Holding a bouquet of white lotuses near the procession in a flowing white dress, Chhun Pov, a 50-year-old cook, said tearfully that Mr. Ley’s violent death was ill-fitting for a man as kind as he was.
“I met him in 2013 and spoke to him while I attended a CNRP strike. He taught me and the other protesters about democracy and the freedoms of citizens,” she said.
“I always listened to him through the radio and I thought he was a special person with a ton of knowledge, which is hard to find. I think his loss will warn Khmer people who are ignorant about the strength of our struggle and teach them to practice being a good person.”
Others who spoke to Khmer Times at the march said so many people came to see Mr. Ley’s body for the last time because he was respectful of the country and was highly qualified to explain complex social, political and human rights issues to the country’s citizens.
Despite the reverence shown by much of Cambodia, the government has taken a different stance. Phnom Penh deputy governor Khuong Sreng banned mourners from walking behind the vehicle carrying Mr. Ley’s body, only allowing those on motorcycles or in cars to follow the procession through the streets, in a statement issued on Friday.
The government also shut down all gas stations along the procession route without explaining the reason behind the curious decision.
In a rebuke of the planned gas station closings by the government, many drivers brought extra fuel and food for other mourners in need.
Many people on Facebook also noted other strange things about the day, including the fact that no images of the procession were broadcast on television throughout the country. Videos and photos of the march were shared widely on Facebook, and some openly questioned why and how none of the country’s broadcasters had any interest in covering the massive event in the capital.
But Theng Savoeun, an activist within the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community and a member of Mr. Ley’s funeral organization committee, said the massive turnout and open displays of love and sadness were evidence of the country’s respect and care for Mr. Ley.
Mr. Savoeun said Mr. Ley’s body arrived at his hometown in Takeo province at about 5pm, and the funeral organization committee will meet to discuss the date of his burial or cremation.
Mr. Ley was shot and killed by a gunman in a Caltex petrol station café in Phnom Penh on July 10. The government quickly arrested the gunman, former soldier Eurth Ang, and claimed he said he did it because Mr. Ley owed him $3,000.
But the man lied about his name when he was initially arrested, and multiple interviews by a variety of news outlets with Mr. Ang’s wife have revealed that there is no way the man could have lent Mr. Ley $3,000 as he and his wife were living in extreme poverty.
Confusing answers from the alleged killer, statements from the man’s wife refuting his alleged motives and Mr. Ley’s own critical comments about Prime Minister Hun Sen only days before his death have all contributed to an overwhelming sense that his death was politically motivated.
Many government critics in the past met the same violent fate as Mr. Ley, including unionist Chea Vichea and environmental activist Chhut Wutty.
Spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s prosecutors Ly Sophanna said the case was still under investigation and he could not give any details “because we have to maintain secrecy.”
Mr. Ang faces life in prison if convicted on charges of “premeditated murder” and “carrying or transporting weapons without authorization,” which were leveled against him by the court on July 13.
Though the authorities are claiming the investigation is ongoing, both local and international communities as well as some diplomats have condemned the murder and called for an impartial investigation by an independent body with no ties to the government.