Phnom Penh, June 24: Cambodia's devout Buddhist King Norodom Sihanouk has ruled out voting in future Cambodian elections if he is born again into this country after his death. In a letter sent from Beijing to the French language newspaper 'Cambodge Soir', the revered monarch said he will "surely die" this year or next or maybe later, and added that "this is natural".
"If I'm born again in the territory of my ancestors, I will abstain from voting," the King said in the letter.
He said patriotism obliged him not to play party politics, and his future would dictate that he serves the people and this included after his rebirth.
Sihanouk is scheduled to return to Cambodia from Beijing, where he has undergone routine medical checks, before the July 27 national elections, which will be contested by 22 political parties.
The King who reigns but does not rule and does not vote, has said he will return to support a free democratic process in the lead-up to the polls.
Bureau Report