Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son Hun Manet pictured making similar gestures. Hun Many VIA FB
Hun Manet, who is slated to succeed Prime Minister Hun Sen after an upcoming vote of confidence at the National Assembly, has vowed to fulfil his father’s wish in the safeguarding of Cambodia’s hard-won peace and development.
The pledge came in response to the outgoing premier’s July 26 tweet reminding him to maintain the peace at all costs, and as the new generation of leaders from the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) expressed their staunch support for Hun Sen’s decision to entrust Manet with commanding the top office to further development of the Kingdom.
“I will remember [your] advice forever and I will act on your advice in all circumstances,” Manet wrote in response to the tweet, which read: “When you become prime minister my son, you must do your utmost to protect the peace and ensure the continued development of the Kingdom and the wellbeing of our compatriots.”
Earlier on July 26, Hun Sen announced in a live broadcast that from August 22 onwards, he will no longer hold the top office after nearly four decades in power, and that his eldest son Manet will assume the role.
Manet’s brother Hun Many, a CPP parliamentarian, said on July 26 that he supported the outgoing premier’s decision and will offer the same support for Manet as soon as he takes office.
He said that under the leadership of the soon-to-be prime minister, the government will continue its unwavering efforts to serve the nation and the people.
“In this spirit, as a Cambodian youth, I express my deepest thanks to my father, the leader of the CPP and the government, for the sacrifices he has made throughout his life, especially in his youth, to salvage the Kingdom from the ashes of civil war and restore peace,” he said in a social media post.
Sar Sokha, secretary of state at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, said the restructuring of the CPP leadership is a comprehensive national plan that will retain the precious lessons and experience of the older generation. Otherwise, he and other successors would not be able to find a school that could teach them as well as the older members of the CPP.
“My family and I, as well as my working group, applauded the appointment of [Manet] as a prime ministerial candidate who will establish the new makeup of the Council of Ministers after securing a vote of confidence from the National Assembly,” he added.
Sokha, who is the son of outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, reiterated that he had communicated his intention of working closely with Manet. In his opinion, Manet is capable, kind, generous and open to all problems, and is fit to lead the government and the Kingdom.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on July 27 that the handover of the premiership to Manet was the most significant event in Cambodian history in the 21st century.
“[Manet] is the second generation of leader to take over this crucial position. In over 500 years of its history, Cambodia has never enjoyed a peaceful transfer of power or succession, not even once,” he claimed.
“The great statesman Hun Sen and his team have transferred this vital responsibility to his successor. Manet and his new ministers will continue to ensure the sustainability of the nation, while preserving peace, political stability and development. I am certain they will care for and protect the heritage and achievements of their predecessors,” he added.
Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith took to social media on July 27 to share his support.
“Nothing makes me happier than this peaceful succession! Those who do not understand war cannot understand this feeling! I am grateful that people will never have to experience the pain of war to experience how I am feeling,” he said.
