KUALA LUMPUR: Cambodia’s self-exiled opposition figurehead Sam Rainsy said Tuesday he had not given up on getting home after an initial bid to return was thwarted, and external pressure on strongman Hun Sen would force him to change course. Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, had denounced efforts by arch-rival Rainsy and other exiled opposition members to come home as a coup bid and ultimately stopped them with threats of arrest and by pressuring neighboring countries. Thailand, from where Rainsy had planned to cross into Cambodia, barred him from transitting and he was then prevented from getting on a flight to the kingdom, forcing him to head to Malaysia. “Things can change, I think things are going to change very quickly… it depends on Hun Sen,” said the 70-year-old, who fled overseas to escape convictions he claims are politically motivated. He did not give further details and it was not clear what was fuelling his optimism.

Source: Manila Times November 13, 2019 16:14 UTC