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The Cambodian opposition party' s daily protests have been destroying the country's economy and causing social instability, Dr. Ros Chantraboth, advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, said Monday.
Since Dec. 15, the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party led by Sam Rainsy has held a fresh round of daily anti- government protests, leading thousands of supporters through streets in capital Phnom Penh to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Hun Sen and a re-vote.
In a further step since Dec. 25, Sam Rainsy, along with his supporters, has incited tens of thousands of garment workers to join his anti-government protests by promising to double their minimum wage to 160 U.S. dollars if his party comes to power.
"The opposition party has violated the country's laws and has not respected the rights and freedom of the Cambodian people," Dr. Ros Chantraboth told Xinhua in an exclusive interview. "They are causing anarchy in Cambodia."
He said the opposition party has been causing a national division, destroying the economy and leading Cambodia into the state of instability.
"The opposition has incited Buddhist monks to join its protests -- it is destroying the influence and prestige of Buddhism in Cambodia," he said.
"The opposition is causing division among Buddhist monks, this is a danger for Cambodia in the future because Buddhism is the state's religion because monks are the most revered persons for the Cambodian people," he warned.
Since Dec. 25, the country's garment industry has stopped production due to concerns over security and safety after the pro- opposition trade unions and the opposition party led tens of thousands of workers to protest against the 19-percent wage hike in the sector for 2014.
The garment sector, Cambodia's largest foreign exchange earner, consists of about 500 factories employing some 510,600 workers. The sector earned 5 billion U.S. dollars in the first eleven months of this year.
Dr. Ros Chantraboth said the opposition's protests are trying to destroy the workers' "rice pots" and drive investors away from Cambodia.
"The opposition's protests are the act of national destruction. If investors run away and all the factories close, how are the fates of more than 600,000 Cambodian garment workers and their families?"
The demonstrations are also spoiling the reputation of Cambodia on the international arena, he added.
"If the opposition still continues its daily protests for a longer period, it will also destroy the country's tourism industry, which is also a major pillar supporting the economy, because tourists will not see a country that they think it is unsafe," he said.
The row between the ruling party led by Prime Minister Hun Sen and Sam Rainsy's opposition party has persisted since the country' s election held in July as the poll results showed that the ruling party won a majority of vote with 68 parliamentary seats against 55 seats for Sam Rainsy's opposition party.
The opposition refused to accept the outcome, claiming serious irregularities, and has boycotted parliament since then.
Despite the boycott, the ruling party-formed parliament voted on Sept. 24 for the establishment of a new government under the leadership of Hun Sen.
Dr. Ros Chantraboth said the current government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen is legitimate endorsed by King Norodom Sihamoni.
"The current government is fully supported by the majority of the people, the armed forces and the king," he said. "Moreover, foreign countries and the international community have recognized and worked with the Cambodian government smoothly."
