PHNOM PENH, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on Thursday signed a royal decree to form the Supreme Council for Consultations and Recommendations, which is a consultation forum between the government and political parties.
According to the royal decree, the council is made up of 30 members from 16 political parties, and the king granted them titles which are in equal ranks to senior minister or minister.
"Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, must take responsibility to implement this royal decree from the day of signature," the monarch wrote.
Hun Sen initiated the establishment of the council during a meeting on Aug. 21 with the leaders or representatives of 16 political parties out of the 20 parties that took part in a recent general election.
The council's purpose is to mobilize human resources and constructive ideas for socio-economic development, the prime minister said, adding that the council has duties to provide opinion on government policies, give feedback on draft laws and report on inaction or violations by government officials.
He added that the council, to be presided by a rotating chairperson among political parties every month, will hold a consultation forum with him once every six months.
The council members will receive a salary from the national budget.
The parliament on Thursday confirmed Hun Sen as the prime minister for another five years after his Cambodian People's Party won all 125 parliamentary seats in the July 29 general election.
