Prime Minister Hun Sen said the Cambodian Oknha Association was not formed to create a partisan network, but rather as an attempt to encourage social work.

He offered the explanation while presiding over a June 10 dinner function held by the association, which was formed in October last year.

As honorary president of the association, he called on the assembled Oknhas to maintain their reputations and dignity, in order to match the trust that the King had placed in them when he bestowed their titles.

Hun Sen explained that there are presently two levels of Oknha – junior and senior. In the future, he added, a third level would be introduced.

“The formation of the Cambodian Oknha Association was never intended to create a partisan network, as Oknhas have always responded to calls made by the government to help society. The association displays a culture of sharing and solidarity,” he said.

He noted that the association also conducted various activities which encouraged the growth of the Kingdom’s economy.

“Oknhas must work closely with the government to move Cambodia towards prosperity, alleviate poverty and help the people. The rich and the poor must depend on each other,” he said.

Ly Yong Phat, president of the association, described some of the ways its members have joined the government in conducting social work, including donations to the Cambodian Red Cross and the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines, food and other materials during the Covid-19 lockdown, as well as the financing of the Samdech Techo Voluntary Youth Doctor Association (TYDA).

“Along with these charitable works, we make joint efforts to boost and facilitate investment and trade,” he added.

He said the association would continue to promote an environment of investment and trade in Cambodia, while fostering cooperation with foreign investors.

Hun Sen also advised the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) to work closely with the association to achieve the three-year rolling plan that was defined in an MoU between the two.

“I was extremely pleased that the association was established, as the government needs strategic cooperative partners to achieve its vision of turning Cambodia into a low-middle income country by 2030 and a high-middle income country by 2050,” he added.

He strongly hoped that the association would become a foundation for closer cooperation between business and investment partners in Cambodia, and expected it to become an indispensible partner of the government in increasing Cambodia’s role in global and regional trade.

Yong Phat said that as of mid-2023, the title of Oknha had been bestowed on 1,299 individuals.