SAM Rainsyសហស្ថាបនិកគណបក្សសង្គ្រោះជាតិ

លោក ហ៊ុន សែន នឹងចុះចេញពីតំណែង នៅឆ្នាំ ២០២៣ ខាងមុខនេះ / HUN SEN SIGNALS END TO CAMBODIA'S LONG PARALYSIS AFTER 2023 ELECTION

ចែករំលែក ៖​

២៩ ធ្នូ ២០២១ / 29 December 2021

លោក ហ៊ុន សែន នឹងចុះចេញពីតំណែង នៅឆ្នាំ ២០២៣ ខាងមុខនេះ។
HUN SEN SIGNALS END TO CAMBODIA'S LONG PARALYSIS AFTER 2023 ELECTION

Paris, December 29, 2021

The public declaration from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen today confirms his intention to create a political dynasty. For the first time, he has made it known that after his son Hun Manet, who he has already designated to take over as the head of government just after the legislative election of 2023, one of his grandsons will take over the running of Cambodia. We appear to be returning to the Middle Ages with the direct, hereditary transmission of absolute royal power.

Hun Sen has further declared that there will not be a limit on the number of terms for a prime minister. He himself has served as prime minister for almost 37 years. Future prime ministers from his family line will, like Hun Sen, be able to stay in power for as long as they want. Hun Sen’s intentions leave little prospect for the kind of democratic change sought by Cambodia’s young generations: 70% of the population is aged less than 30 and has lived only under the rule of Hun Sen.

It is clearer than ever that for an aging dictator like Hun Sen, who has blood on his hands from his long history of violent repression, the principal priority and obsession is to maintain the legal immunity from prosecution. This immunity can be guaranteed only by absolute power, whether exercised by himself, his children or grandchildren.

Hun Sen has further announced that he will create made-to-measure laws to fit his personal and family needs. It is surprising that he has accepted a proposition that I have been making for several years to place an age limit of 70 on public roles. This is the exception that proves the rule. He very quickly changed his mind by suggesting that the age for political retirement can be exceptionally and conveniently extended for him. Hun Sen was officially 70 this year, and will turn 72 after the 2023 legislative election. “Let me through first so that I can ease my son into my armchair without too much risk.”

Hun Sen makes it clear in his declaration that I am the main risk to his transfer of power: “The retirement age of the prime minister should be between 70 and 72 years old, but Sam Rainsy is already 73,” he said. (I am actually 72).

The prime minister has developed the habit of made-to-measure laws targeted at myself in my role as opposition leader. He wants absolutely to remove me from the political scene. He further referred to me in his declaration today, saying that his most recent piece of legal DIY which forbids people with double nationality from holding the role of prime minister was indeed targeted at me. I have French as well as Cambodian nationality.

One thing at least is now virtually certain. From the second half of 2023, Hun Sen will no longer be Cambodia’s violent, autocratic and “indestructible” prime minister. This will be a first change which will lead to others. These further changes may turn out to be positive. Nothing is worse for the Cambodian people than the current state of paralysis.

Sam Rainsy