PM Hun Sen to BBC: Allowing Westerdam to Dock Is Humanitarian Act, Not Diverting Attention

Source: FN Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen reiterated that the decision to allow entry for Westerdam cruise ship to Cambodia was a purely humanitarian gesture, not seeking nor diverting attention. He responded to BBC Southeast Asia correspondent Jonathan Head’s judgmental statement against Cambodian leader’s decision. “Cambodia’s Hun Sen saw the Westerdam as an opportunity… by…

PM Hun Sen: Malaysia Shall Be Responsible for Humanitarian Crisis and Cambodia’s Honour

Source: FN Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Malaysia shall be responsible for humanitarian crisis and Cambodia’s honour after claiming that the 83-year-old American woman aboard Westerdam ship tested positive with Covid- 19. The premier said the announcement of Malaysian deputy prime minister has created subsequent discriminations against tourists departing from Cambodia, speaking on Monday…

A Message and Impromptu Comments on Measures Taken to Manage Impacts from Covid-19 Related Pneumonia and Suspension of Tax Favor on a Number of Goods under (Everything But Arms) Program [Unofficial Translation]

In addition to the message on “Measures Taken to Manage Impacts from Covid-19 Related Pneumonia and Suspension of Tax Favor on a Number of Goods under (Everything But Arms) Program,” Samdech Techo made the following off-the-cuff elaborations and comments: Today we are conducting the meeting of the Supreme Council for Consultations and Recommendations (SCCR). Before…

PM Hun Sen to Groundbreak National Road No. 10 in March

Source: FN Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen will chair the groundbreaking ceremony of National Road No. 10 on 9 March 2020, according to the Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol on Friday. National Road 10 connects Battambang to Koh Kong province in the west of Cambodia. Upon completion the people of Battambang, Pursat,…

Selected off-the-cuff comments at Ministry of Interior’s 2019 Reviews and 2020-Directives Setting Conference [Unofficial Translation]

• […] Samdech Sar Kheng stressed on importance of implementing “village/commune safety.” I wanted it to be a national movement […] no crimes happened out of boundary of village, even central, provincial or communal levels, it started from the village […]

• […] 86% (of the Cambodian population have) trust in state management capacity, or confidence in the Cambodian People’s Party, so to speak, on issue of keeping peace and safety […] it is on this note that we must continue working […] on suppressing crimes […] alleviating fear among our people from robberies, thefts, drugs, and violence of all kinds […]

• […] (Listening) initially (to recommendation on finding and stripping off rights to drive, some may) think that Prime Minister punish people […] (in fact, doing this is for the sake of) defending drivers’ and other travellers’ lives […] after all, it is for safety of everyone […]

• […] There have been comments […] that it was a minor diplomatic dispute between Cambodia and Malaysia on this case of the 83 years old American lady […] it was not a dispute, I affirm. Cambodia seeks explanation only […] after being denied port of call everywhere, (allowing it to dock meant) Cambodia has fulfilled a humanitarian work […]

Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Closing of Annual Meeting of Ministry of Interior, 20 February 2020