Khem Veasna

Khem Veasna ( ; born 11 December 1965) is a Cambodian politician, the founder of the League for Democracy Party (LDP). He currently serves as the president of the LDP.

Formerly, he was a member of the Sam Rainsy Party, and was listed as a nominee since 1998 but not elected until the 2003 National Assembly Election, when he became a member of the National Assembly for Prey Veng province. In 2005, he formed the LDP.

In the Sam Rainsy Party Veasna was expelled from a program run by the National Democratic Institute due to a statement which was perceived as an insult to the monarchy, and as a potential violation of the Cambodian constitution. Veasna received criticism from his party members, including Sam Rainsy, who issued a statement of condemnation. Veasna defended himself saying that he did not mean to attack the monarchy, but was simply reciting historical facts.

The League for Democracy Party

On 15 July 2005, the League For Democracy Party (LDP) was formed. It was registered and officially recognized by the announcement of the Ministry of Interior in 2006 and Veasna has served as its president since although he wants to limit the prime minister terms in Cambodia.

Cult accusations In 2022, Veasna began claiming that a “black hole” had formed in his spine and that it was transmitting messages to him about an upcoming global flood that would destroy the whole world except for his farm in Cambodia. He also referred to himself as a Brahma. Photos posted on his social media accounts showed large crowds of people gathered at his farm, including some sleeping in tents.

The Cambodian government reported that migrant workers in other countries such as South Korea had been quitting their jobs to return to Cambodia because of Veasna's preaching. The government began issuing statements trying to discourage people from doing this. Some local residents have welcomed the influx of Veasna's followers as good for business, while others have expressed frustration and accused the crowds of engaging in disorderly conduct and open defecation.