At the inauguration of the Buddhist Dhamma Assembly Hall and 92nd Birthday of Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathibdei Nun Nget, Chief of the Buddhist monks of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Techo Hun Sen made some comments that CNV has selected and translated unofficially as followed:
My respects to Samdech Preah Akka Maha Sangharajathipadei Tep Vong, the Great Supreme Patriarch of Mahanikaya order of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Preah Aphiserei Sukonthea Moha Sangraajathipadei Bour Kry, the Great Supreme Patriarch of Dhammayut order of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech, Buddhist monks, Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, Samdech Krala Haom Sar Kheng, ladies and gentlemen, dear students and Buddhist followers.
Today I am so happy to have come to join with all of you and Samdech, Buddhist monks of all ranks, ladies and gentlemen to celebrate the bathing ceremony to commemorate the 92nd birthday anniversary of Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathibdei Nun Nget, Chief of the Buddhist monks of the Kingdom of Cambodia. I am so joyful to have the chance to do this bathing ceremony twice – first, on 21 May 2010, when Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathibdei celebrated his 86th birthday anniversary and again today 27 July, or the twelve moon day of Asadha, the year of goat, Sabpasak, the Buddhist year of 2559.
I also had the chance to do twice for Samdech Preah Dhammalikhet Luos Lay – 17 December 2007 and 13 May 2014. The only difference here is that in the previous anniversary, my father also was here. He was one of many people who had contributed to rebuilding this pagoda. He already passed away. My mother in law also takes part in the work of rebuilding pagoda. Uncle Jay Sieng Ee also was present then. I hope that he is doing fine so as to continue to join with others in helping with the Buddhist construction work. I think we may have not only the water from the bucket here but the rain from above. If we remove the tents, we all will be blessed together.
A Number of Royal Government Officials Started Their Childhood Here
It is my great pleasure indeed to have chance to meet with the two supreme patriarchs and their students, who are now working in the Senate, the National Assembly, the Royal Government, the armed forces and businesses. People all come together to celebrate the anniversary for Samdech Chief Monk Nun Nget as a way to respond with gratitude to his efforts in supporting Buddhism. All of his students are Buddhist followers and most of them lived off rice from the monk’s alms bowls, of which many grew and educated themselves from childhood to leaders.
I have a good recollection that the pagoda of Botum Wadei, after being left quiet under the genocidal regime of Pol Pot for a while, Samdech Chief Monk moved from the pagoda of Pagoda to chair as Samdech Sangharaja here, with help of my late father who was head of the pagoda committee here. The late Samdech Chea Sim, Samdech Heng Samrin, Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, Samdech Krala Haom Sar Kheng and many others never fail to take part in the Projum Ben ceremony here.
Traditionally, the pagoda of Botum Wadei has become one of the monasteries where families of people in leadership – the Senate, the National Assembly and the Royal Government – are exercising their alms offerings. I am of the opinion that about one third of achievements in this pagoda are in fact shared by my families – my own and those of late father’s, mother in laws and other in laws’. We will also choose a different day to celebrate the inauguration of this building of the pagoda head monk Khim San. We will have one other ceremony then. It is not a small building.
Please Leave HM the King out of Politics
I do not wish to use this forum for political matter though many problems have happened. On my way here, so and so proposed to me to talk with certain individuals on some other things. I begged the persons not to bring up too many problems. Please leave the legal matter to the court. Please do not get politicians to involve. Let us be clearly defined between law and politics.
I have begged them not to bring up any more issues and I am calling on all not to involve HM the King as a matter of fun. I beg everyone, people in general or royal family, please do not make fun with HM the King. Do not make fun with these matters that are of national value and pride. They must not tarnish the honor of HM the King because of own political ambition. To speak the truth, Samdech Preah Norodom Ranaridh said that HM the King thinks of inviting leaders of the three major political parties to discuss the border issue. I texted to ask him last night and he said he also received this information from other people.
As a respect to him, I sent an SMS convincing him not to believe some untrustworthy people because our HM the King would never consult with political parties. When he needs to, HM the King would only do it with legislative, executive and court institutions stipulated in Constitution. The morning after, The Phnom Penh Post and other papers have run headlines. I then tried to contact Samdech Kong Sam Ol, who accompanied HM the King to bring gifts for people in Kompong Chhnang. Samdech told me that HM the King did not know that and deny it immediately.
It is in this sense that I wish to remind Samdech Krom Preah that monarchy is a common object of our nation. It does not belong to him alone, though he is one of the children of the former King. The country’s motto is nation, religion and king. I just wish to remind him that should he go on doing thing this way, he would stand to gain no seat (in the National Assembly). I have a consideration for him that I have had to tell him exactly what I thought. Previously, he grew from what was left from his father. Would he like to make a gain from the reputation of his brother now? I think he should try to stand on his feet. He repeated what the opposition demanded to the Royal Government about leaving border posts planting to a later date and later he said HM the King initiated the idea for the three major parties to meet.
I have accompanied HM the King for eleven years now. I think I know him enough not to work with political parties – whether it is the ruling parties or those out of the Royal Government. Whenever things happen, the first person he consults is the Prime Minister. Whenever Prime Minister needs to bring some issue to his attention, HM the King always grants an audience right away. There has also program for the Prime Minister to bring related ministers to make HM the King reports regularly too. Why did they make fun on issue of the national border by involving HM the King? It is not a simple matter.
I bring this issue up today in order to clarify the issue. Some people did not watch TV or read declaration could have misunderstood the course of action of our revered HM the King. I must make it a clear message here for our people that HM the King is not involved in politics. Should he needs, I consider it my call anytime. As Prime Minister, accompanied by Deputy Prime Ministers, and if HM the King would also be interested to have the presences of the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly, we all are ready to report to duty at all time. As far as political parties’ leaders, I am sure that will not happen.
I think the Ministry of Royal Palace correctly issued a denial. I do not believe the news. Why the Royal Government and Prime Minister were not the ones to be called upon to provide clarification on the matter but the political parties? I saw it on Facebook that said Samdech Preah Ream urged Samdech to purchase the 168 USD map to verify with the map of the President of the minority parties. I have the absolute duty to defend HM the King, though it may not be to the satisfaction of Samdech Preah Ream. It would be his matter. HM the King is an issue for everyone and not only the royal family. It is because I am determined to defend the monarchy, the throne, HM the King that I have the need to speak out.
Only Minimum Penalty for Revolt
As for some other people, I think they should re-measure their actions. Some have been too disrespectful to get penalized. Samdech Heng Samrin has never been a mean man. Why did they insult him over the fact that Samdech did not write his consent, which was a correct thing to do, (on their request) letter for the Royal Government to stop planting border posts. There has no legislation to order the executive body, though it is created by the legislative one. If this matter is not well understood, the person may have to get back to school before coming back for the National Assembly. He got penalized and required to write a letter to apologize for his action. Samdech Heng Samrin wrote he had seen the penalties but he does not require a letter (of apology) and only 50% of the salary penalty should be observed.
There has been a request by acting chairman of the minority party to meet with chairman of the majority party. I said I can meet everyone except terrorists. If they bring the court matter to discuss with me, as it is out of the sphere of my power, I will not talk with them. We will have tea together and ask each other’s health. I would urge them inside the country not to use those who have been jailed as political bartering objects. They should do like those in prison. As far as being imprisoned for twenty years is concerned, I may explain that the crime of leading any revolt would be 20 to 30 years. The sentence was delivered only for 20 years, the minimum. For crime of participating will see the imprisonment between seven and 15 years. The minimum sentence was delivered at seven years. Even if Samdech Buddhist monks request for their freedom, I do not have right to do so. When the verdict is final, then I have the right. I will also have to check it how serious was the crime. Some foreigners have made comments without considering the fact that how some people were seriously injured by the crime. Now that the rain has stopped, I also have to end my speech too.
Well today’s event is set by my wife and I, who organized the ceremony for Samdech Preah Moha Sometheathibdei Nun Nget for his 92nd anniversary on 12 moon day, Asadha month, the year of goat, Buddhist calendar year of 2559. We cannot celebrate this event in the no-moon day. The only thing that I regret here is that my late father is not here. However, if there were to be a soul, I am sure he is not far from us. I thank everyone for taking part in this ceremony and HE Min Khin who represented us in organizing this event. Thanks for what is happening today./.
