NOW is the “best time” for Cambodian opposition figures to return to the country as Prime Minister Hun Sen is under pressure to democratise, leader in exile Sam Rainsy said in Kuala Lumpur today.

The Cambodian National Rescue Party’s (CNRP) founder said Hun Sen, who has declared the opposition party illegal, is facing pressure domestically and internationally over his crackdown on dissenters.

Cambodia faces the threat of trade sanctions by the European Union if it refuses to recognise the opposition, Rainsy said after a meeting with Malaysian MPs in Parliament today, organised by Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“The Cambodian government has prepared its military and weapons to kill us. But Hun Sen is afraid because he cannot be certain about the military’s loyalty.

“The army is with the people, not with the dictator. This is the internal pressure he is facing.

“Externally, if the government doesn’t want Cambodia to fall into economic crisis, which will see thousands losing their jobs, they have to allow democracy,” said Rainsy, who has been in exile since 2005 except for a period between 2013 and 2016.

CNRP vice-president Mu Sochua also met Malaysian MPs today. She and two other opposition activists were nearly deported to Cambodia last week until the intervention by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Rainsy thanked the Malaysian government for allowing them safe passage here.

He said he had not asked Putrajaya for any help as the government had also showed it supported democracy and human rights.

“I am very grateful to the government of Malaysia, the authorities and its members of Parliament who have allowed us to be here and respected our fundamental rights.

“We are not criminals, we are fighting for freedom,” he said.

Asked about plans to return to Cambodia, Rainsy declined to answer, citing security and safety concerns.

He arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on November 9 on another flight after being prevented from boarding a Thai Airways flight in Paris.

Cambodian opposition figures had planned to return to the country by land across the border with Thailand. – November 12, 2019.