In addition to the prepared text, on the 65th founding anniversary of the Custom and Excise institution, Samdech Techo made the following selected comments:
Transferring Custom and Excise from Trade to Economy and Finance
… What I could recall is that the re-establishment of custom and excise on 13 August 1979 by President of the People’s Revolutionary Council Heng Samrin, there was this signature also of the State Office on the side. In fact, Office of the State then functioned like the Council of Ministers. Ung Phan signed on the initiative to re-establish the custom and excise institute. It was in fact initiated by HE Taing Sarim. That is why people could see that the re-establishment and structural management placed under the Ministry of Trade, HE Sar Ho, was then its chairman. It was a bit awkward that the Ministry of Trade took this initiative because it oversaw imports and exports.
When I became Prime Minister, I led a reform in this issue, I decided then to move Custom and Excise from trade ministry. We had made HE Ho Naun, then Deputy Governor of Battambang, Vice Minister of the Council of Ministers, and later was Minister of Trade to replace HE Taing Sarim. I was so busy with peace negotiation and reforms in economy that I could not recall if I was the one who signed those administrative papers. It could be either HE Kong Sam Ol or HE Chea Soth, who signed the papers involved in 1988. I just remembered that HE Chan Phin, who was minister of economy and finance then, was also replaced by HE Chhay Than.
We underwent a number of cabinet reshuffle then, Ministers of National Defense and Foreign Affairs, were also included. I gave the post of foreign minister to someone but it was useless. I then had to take it back up. I remembered that the Ministry that had to take over and oversee custom and excise was ministry of economy and finance, led by HE Chhay Than, and HE Ho Noun, minister of trade, in the one that transfer it from. It was often the case that I exercised delegation of power to one of the Deputy Prime Ministers. He would permanently stand by and had to sign many papers in my absence. It could be HE Chea Soth or Kong Sam Ol. You may try to find out who actually signed the deal because there could be three persons involved – Prime Minister, HE Chea Soth, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of economics, who might have signed it, and Samdech Chaufea Veang Kong Sam Ol, currently Minister of the Royal Palace, would be the one who issued the sub-decree.
Well, there have been comments that “as the Prime Minister presides over the graduation and diploma presenting ceremony, the Minister of Education would have no work to do.” There was this comment in Facebook. I just hope the person who wrote that understands that it was demand of those students to have their diplomas presented by Prime Minister. Students want Prime Minister. It is an honor to them. Some universities had to file their requests three to five months beforehand so that Prime Minister could set aside his time for them […]
It is not Political Issue
I have read the piece of interview that Reuters published. (The interviewee) said – “Hun Sen is scared.” The person who said it has confined himself in four walls. He would not have a chance to get out. I may address (foreign) diplomats (present) that this is a personal issue concerning with law and they should not get involved. Let the court proceed with it works. If later there will be decision from the court, competent authority will act. He has confined himself. He would not even step downstairs for fear of arrest. How could he say Hun Sen is scared? Hun Sen exercises his golf and heel-twisting dance. It was his own wrongdoing and he changed it political mess. Law would not forgive.
Asking European Ambassadors to Reform Two Things
The other day I asked directly to Ministry of Economy of Germany and German Ambassador that I suggest Europe to reform ways to get information. Europe normally received inaccurate information. Inaccurate information has played a part in European problem. Now that Britain is out (of the European Union), there may be more to follow. I hope (Europe) would not go around insult just anyone. I suggest two reforms – Firstly, identify the source of information, and secondly, they have had to be clear of fact and law. Cambodia is a sovereign state. As Prime Minister I also do not have right to interfere in the court matter.
Please do not threaten with demonstration. The person may not hope to go free. The person is making the issue hot himself. As soon as the court issues its decision, (competent authority) will act. Should it be necessary, I will take my command position because it is a court decision. I just warn anyone involved that do not transform person issue into political one between (political) parties […]
Elections Will Go as Schedule
I may have the attention of HE Ambassador of Japan that there is nothing to be concerned. We will go on with the voters’ registration. However, I wish to affirm that if you do not do it, we will still do it to guarantee that there will be an election. I would assert to foreign friends who help with the registration, and they may not threaten us that this issue would not allow for registration. How could one person with personal problem and those who bribed witnesses in this matter prevent registration of between nine and ten million eligible voters from registration? I hope they do not reason it that way. Please do not use aid to put pressure on Cambodia […]
I have said it once about foreign institution forcing me to sell out custom and excise to private sector. It is the World Bank. You may check my instruction. I said they may purchase rights from Prime Minister, which is bigger. They advised us to sell half our custom and excise … It is a sovereign service. We cannot sell it to anyone. No one could exert pressure on Hun Sen (on this matter). I just have the attention of Ambassador of Japan that there is nothing to worry about conducting registration. I heard there has been worry the registration issue cannot proceed. Please do not use assistance to put pressure on Cambodia. If friends see that they should help Cambodia, they may do so. If they do not wish to, less speech would be constructive […]
No Justice for Small/Poor Countries
I thank the Cambodia Daily for letting me know of ringed efforts to place fault on Cambodia. I already had my turn on 20 June about South China Sea. Yesterday I had another one. Since they already blamed Hun Sen to have made mistakes, I told visiting Laotian Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoullith, who chairs ASEAN that whatever will happen, “just you place them on me.” Well, ASEAN Ambassadors are here. It is a court matter between Philippines and China, how should they make ASEAN issue a declaration? There will be no ASEAN declaration and we may as well oppose it. Cambodia has nothing else to lose. In 2012, they tormented us right in our home. It is because we are small that they bullied us. They would not dare to do so to bigger nation. The world is so unjust. Those with money put pressure through assistance on those who are poorer …/.
