Khmer Renovation
Encyclopedia
Khmer Renovation also translated as "Khmer Renewal", was an anti-communist, nationalist and royalist political party founded in Cambodia in September 1947. In 1955, it became one of the core elements of the Sangkum
political movement of Prince Norodom Sihanouk
.
The party is mainly significant because key members Lon Nol
and Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak
would go on to lead the right-wing coup of 1970
against Sihanouk and his Sangkum regime.
and one of the candidates for the throne passed over in favour of Sihanouk in 1941. Other prominent members included Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum
, who acted as an adviser to Tioulong and Nol in founding the party, and Chuop Hell.
The party, known informally as the "Renos", had a socially conservative and royalist programme - albeit far more pro-independence than that of the similarly conservative Liberal Party of Prince Norodom Norindeth
- and attracted high-ranking bureaucrats and several members of the royal family as well as military officers. Khmer Renovation's "quasi-feudalist" perspective, which emphasised Cambodia and its monarchy's place in world history and the postcolonial order, was symbolised by its chosen electoral symbol of the Earth Goddess superimposed on a map of the protectorate. It published a newspaper, Khmera or Rénovation, in both French and Khmer versions. Monipong was to become the Prime Minister
of a 'unity' government between June 1950 and February 1951.
Lon Nol led the party to the polls in the 1951 elections, where - despite receiving 9.1% of the total vote - it won a total of 2 seats in the Assembly.
Although the Khmer Renovation Party had only limited electoral success - neither Lon Nol nor Sirik Matak, later to become prominent politicians, won seats while a party member - it became one of the main political groupings behind the formation of the Sangkum of Prince Sihanouk. Nhiek Tioulong was to become Prime Minister under the Sangkum, and was later to become a prominent figure in the pro-royalist FUNCINPEC
organisation. Lon Nol was also to become Prime Minister, but along with Sirik Matak was to lead the 1970 coup deposing Sihanouk and instigating the Khmer Republic.
Sangkum
The Sangkum Reastr Niyum , commonly known simply as the Sangkum, was a political organisation set up in 1955 by Prince Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia...
political movement of Prince Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk
Norodom Sihanouk regular script was the King of Cambodia from 1941 to 1955 and again from 1993 until his semi-retirement and voluntary abdication on 7 October 2004 in favor of his son, the current King Norodom Sihamoni...
.
The party is mainly significant because key members Lon Nol
Lon Nol
Lon Nol was a Cambodian politician and general who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice, as well as serving repeatedly as Defense Minister...
and Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak
Sisowath Sirik Matak
Prince Sisowath Sirik Matak was a member of the Cambodian royal family, the Varman dynasty.Sirik Matak was mainly notable for his involvement in Cambodian politics, particularly for his involvement in the 1970 right-wing coup against his cousin, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, and for his subsequent...
would go on to lead the right-wing coup of 1970
Cambodian coup of 1970
The Cambodian coup of 1970 refers to the removal of the Cambodian Head of State, Prince Norodom Sihanouk, after a vote in the National Assembly on 18 March 1970. Emergency powers were subsequently invoked by the Prime Minister Lon Nol, who became effective head of state...
against Sihanouk and his Sangkum regime.
History
The party was formed by the politician and soldier Nhiek Tioulong and police chief Lon Nol. Its nominal leader was the respected Prince Sisowath Monipong, one of the two sons of King Sisowath MonivongSisowath Monivong
Sisowath Monivong was the king of Cambodia from 1927 until his death in 1941.Sisowath Monivong was the second son of King Sisowath. He was born in Phnom Penh in 1875. During this time, his uncle, King Norodom was ruling from Odong, the capital at that time, as a puppet king for the French...
and one of the candidates for the throne passed over in favour of Sihanouk in 1941. Other prominent members included Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum
Chau Sen Cocsal Chhum
Chau Sen Cocsal , also known as “Chhum”, was a Cambodian civil servant and politician. He is also the longest lived former head of government in history....
, who acted as an adviser to Tioulong and Nol in founding the party, and Chuop Hell.
The party, known informally as the "Renos", had a socially conservative and royalist programme - albeit far more pro-independence than that of the similarly conservative Liberal Party of Prince Norodom Norindeth
Norodom Norindeth
Prince Norodom Norindeth was a member of the royal family of Cambodia. Active as a politician and diplomat during the 1940s, 50s and 60s, he is notable mainly for founding the Cambodian Liberal Party , the first Cambodian political party.-Biography:Norindeth was a grandson of Norodom of Cambodia...
- and attracted high-ranking bureaucrats and several members of the royal family as well as military officers. Khmer Renovation's "quasi-feudalist" perspective, which emphasised Cambodia and its monarchy's place in world history and the postcolonial order, was symbolised by its chosen electoral symbol of the Earth Goddess superimposed on a map of the protectorate. It published a newspaper, Khmera or Rénovation, in both French and Khmer versions. Monipong was to become the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Cambodia
The Prime Minister of Cambodia , is the head of government of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Prime Minister is appointed by the King under Article 119 of the Constitution and is responsible for leading the government of the Kingdom.-Constitutional powers:The powers of the Prime Minister are established...
of a 'unity' government between June 1950 and February 1951.
Lon Nol led the party to the polls in the 1951 elections, where - despite receiving 9.1% of the total vote - it won a total of 2 seats in the Assembly.
Although the Khmer Renovation Party had only limited electoral success - neither Lon Nol nor Sirik Matak, later to become prominent politicians, won seats while a party member - it became one of the main political groupings behind the formation of the Sangkum of Prince Sihanouk. Nhiek Tioulong was to become Prime Minister under the Sangkum, and was later to become a prominent figure in the pro-royalist FUNCINPEC
Funcinpec
FUNCINPEC is a royalist political party in Cambodia. Before the 2008 election, FUNCINPEC and the Cambodian People's Party formed a coalition government, although FUNCINPEC's significance has decreased steadily since 1998, when it had an equal relationship with the CPP in the coalition.FUNCINPEC is...
organisation. Lon Nol was also to become Prime Minister, but along with Sirik Matak was to lead the 1970 coup deposing Sihanouk and instigating the Khmer Republic.