PHNOM PENH —
Ruling party members continued to meet at the National Assembly on Wednesday, discussing a draft law on roadways despite a boycott by the opposition.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has refused to participate in the new government, following 2013 elections it says were marred by fraud.
Meanwhile, both sides are supposed to be negotiating over election reform to end the political deadlock.
Sixty-four of 68 elected lawmakers of the Cambodian People’s Party met on Wednesday, discussing the law chapter by chapter.
The law was drafted by the Ministry of Public Works, and supporters say it will protect public roads and ensure new roads are properly constructed.
Chheang Von, a CPP lawmaker, criticized the ministry for failing to make sure roads are funded and built well.
“It’s about the technique of building good roads,” he said. “Sometimes we pay the money, but the technique does no good. Where is the money?”
Public Works Minister Tram Iv Tek acknowledged that some officials take bribes or manipulate invoices during projects, harming road quality, but he said the ministry is working to combat the practice.
New roads will be made of good materials and properly constructed, he said.
The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has refused to participate in the new government, following 2013 elections it says were marred by fraud.
Meanwhile, both sides are supposed to be negotiating over election reform to end the political deadlock.
Sixty-four of 68 elected lawmakers of the Cambodian People’s Party met on Wednesday, discussing the law chapter by chapter.
The law was drafted by the Ministry of Public Works, and supporters say it will protect public roads and ensure new roads are properly constructed.
Chheang Von, a CPP lawmaker, criticized the ministry for failing to make sure roads are funded and built well.
“It’s about the technique of building good roads,” he said. “Sometimes we pay the money, but the technique does no good. Where is the money?”
Public Works Minister Tram Iv Tek acknowledged that some officials take bribes or manipulate invoices during projects, harming road quality, but he said the ministry is working to combat the practice.
New roads will be made of good materials and properly constructed, he said.
