The Star Online: Metro: Central
The Star Online: Metro: Central |
| Posted: PHNOM PENH: Thousands of Cambodians, many holding lotus flowers symbolising peace, joined a mass protest in the capital Phnom Penh in a last-ditch bid to challenge Prime Minister Hun Sen's disputed election win. Around 20,000 demonstrators, some carrying placards and ribbons with "my vote, my life" written in Khmer, gathered in Democracy Park yesterday to demand a probe into allegations that voter fraud denied the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) victory in July's election. The protest, which was one of the largest opposition demonstrations in recent years, comes as final results are expected to end the CNRP's legal options to overturn the result. The CNRP has alleged widespread rigging in the election in which Hun Sen's long-ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) claimed victory.  Thousands of Cambodians, many holding lotus flowers symbolising peace, joined in the protest. — AFP Opposition leader Sam Rainsy again rejected the polls result yesterday, vowing further peaceful demonstrations unless an independent probe into alleged voter fraud is called. Opening his address to the colourful rally with a prayer, Rainsy said it was an "historic day" and called for "justice for the voters". Rainsy, a French-educated former banker, was excluded from standing in the polls despite a recent pardon for criminal convictions that he maintains were politically motivated. According to preliminary results from the National Election Committee (NEC), the CPP won 3.2 million votes to the CNRP's 2.9 million. The NEC is expected to rule that the CPP won the election when it declares the final results today. The country's Constitutional Council said on Friday that it had reviewed the CNRP's complaints about the polls and had broadly rejected them. The comments failed to deflate protesters who converged in the capital for several hours yesterday. "I came to demand justice. Our votes have been stolen ... the victory of the people has been stolen," said Uy Sarouen, 54, in a frequently heard complaint. Experts say the opposition's legal options are running out. "The chances of the opposition succeeding in its demands are proportional to the number of supporters joining the demonstration," independent political analyst Lao Mong Hay said before the rally. — AFP |
| Posted: HE had sprayed the word "Anarchy" at the inline skating park in Bishan with a circle around the first letter of the word. Muhammad Ashraf Alias, 29, told police that this was a symbol that meant "to destroy everything". He also admitted that he "hated everything in life" and that he "felt good" in committing mischief. In a district court on Friday, the former dishwasher changed his tune and said that he regretted his actions. He pleaded guilty and was jailed for three-and-a-half-months. He had sprayed the graffiti at the Bishan Harmony Park at 8.45pm on June 8. He then went to the street soccer court at Ang Mo Kio Avenue1. There, he wrapped newspaper around the can of spray paint that he had used earlier and set fire to it in a rubbish bin. The next day, he was back for more mischief-making. A jogger saw him spraying graffiti at the soccer court and called the police. There was also a smouldering rubbish bin nearby. On seeing the police, Muhammad Ashraf tried to flee on his bicycle but was nabbed after a short chase. He also admitted to police to finding and misappropriating a wallet at Tai Seng MRT station in early June and spending the S$20 (RM51.50) contained in it. A report from the Institute of Mental Health stated that Muhammad Ashraf knew it was wrong to commit these acts. He said that he wanted attention and for "his voice to be heard". The report further stated that he was not of unsound mind and that he was fit to enter a plea. He could have been jailed for up to a year and fined for each act of mischief. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network |
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