… Today I have a great pleasure to return to Rolea Pha Ea once again after I once came here to build a school building in the Primary School of Andong Snay which is not far from here. I could recall that in Rolea Pha Ea alone, my wife and I had built two colleges. In the course of inaugurating the temple, I would like to share with you my impression on overall development in Buddhism as well as in secular world. Buddhism, to my knowledge, has developed to a great extent since 1979 and has made the most remarkable progress when the whole country enjoys a complete peace. It is an opportunity for all of us to build everything responding to the need of our people materially and spiritually.
… In 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003, Cambodia has been recorded with so many inaugurations of pagodas and it is in fact a measure that indicates our people’s living standard. As I said in many place if our people’s living standard is terrible, we would not only be able to build pagodas but also not to provide food to the monks. Rolea Pha Ea is also going through so many difficulties but our people in this area have proven that they could make a good cultivation in comparison to other districts. We are here today to inaugurate the 185-year old pagoda whose history related to the Long Vek era. We have in fact transformed places of previous conflicts to development areas and this is what has been done by the younger generation of Cambodia. Though it is a sacred pagoda, it could not evade its fate from the destruction by Pol Pot in the period of its leadership of three years, eight months and twenty days.
… According to Buddhism, one’s fate will be a reciprocation of one’s action. One commits negative action, one will be cursed with bad effect. The Pol Pot’s genocide had proven to be the most barbarous regime as they destroyed completely Buddhism, which is our people’s religious respect. The regime’s fall has warned others that they have to behave well otherwise they may suffer the same fate. With the leadership of the National United Front for Salvation of Kampuchea, our people have survived heroically and have complied with policy as put out by the leadership of the then Governments and the Cambodian People’s Party. The policy has allowed not only for Buddhism to flourish, but the same is true for Islam and Christian. But Buddhism has made foremost and tremendous development which clearly indicates our people’s belief in the region. Everything has to start with people’s belief and confidence, whether it is in politics, religion or economy, or one would not be able to realize one’s objective.
… A few weeks ago I went to the district of Samaki Meanchei and I said only when we have solidarity we could secure victory (Samaki = Solidarity; Meanchei = Victorious). Not only in Samaki Meanchei, but we should have solidarity and be victorious everywhere and a nation would achieve its development goal only when it unites. Of course our people may have belief in different religions but that should not necessarily be a frustration for them from being united. As for political belief, people may have different political lines, but our people should not go into conflicts because of their different political beliefs at all. Leave this to our people to decide by their own rights when they cast their votes on July 27. I would like to make an appeal to our people to remain calm and to refrain from committing violence but exercise your rights by ticking on your confidential ballot. Security should also be taken into serious consideration to provide safety to our people both during the Khmer New Year 2003 and the July election.
… Many countries this time are at wars, big or small, and terrorism but Cambodia has been a quiet place. We have liberated our country from war and destructions and we should not let it fall into conflict again. As a person survived by the help of our people I would do anything I possibly can to respond to our people’s need. Everyone may not be the same. As a Prime Minister I am doing more for the people in the rural area but some others may see a different priority area. I am well aware of my objective and I will garner actions to rural areas… I remember visiting this area once and I met with a lady who came to sell her rice and I asked her how long had she been at the (State) buying centre? She told me she came since early in the morning. I continued why did she not go back home as it is already night fall. She said she had not been paid yet and the reason why it was late because they told me (the rice seller) that somebody important came to see us. Since then I always keep my visit low profile.
Samdech Hun Sen on that occasion offers a sum of twenty million Riel for the Kirivongkut pagoda to pay overdue debt, a school building with six classrooms for the Primary School of Vihear Hluong, a school building with six classrooms for Secondary School of Toeuk Hoat, a school building with six classrooms for the Primary School of Kork Banteay, 30 tons of rice for labour to renovate a 3000 meter long rural road in the commune of Chrey Bak, a sum of 20 million Riel each for three pagodas, five tons of cement for each of two pagodas, and to resolve various other demands.
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