Prime Minister Hun Manet regarded the inaugural plenary session of the Council of Ministers on August 24 as a “historic day for Cambodia” and expressed his deepest gratitude to all of his compatriots for providing the government with credibility and strong support during the July 23 election.

He said the election was free, fair, non-violent and non-threatening, noting that more than 8 million people whose names were on the voter list took part, or about 85 per cent of registered voters.

He continued that this outcome was a reflection of the willingness and full, strong support of the vast majority of the public for the fair democratic process of Cambodia.

“Of course, great support and trust are not only an enormous encouragement to the government, but also a reminder of our great responsibility of fulfilling our mission to meet the wishes and aspirations of the people. In particular, we guaranteed the maintenance of peace, stability, order, as well as the continuous improvement of their livelihoods and the continuous development of the nation,” he said.

“Therefore, all of us, as colleagues in the government, must be committed to do our best in the spirit of solidarity and good cooperation to achieve our excellent national mission successfully, under the mandate that a great many people all over the country have given,” he added.

The Ministry of Interior said the Cabinet plenary session participants had discussed the official launch of the government’s “Pentagonal Strategy-Phase I”, reviewed and approved a draft law concerning the status of the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection – which will soon see its name changed to Ministry of Inspection – a draft law on the establishment of the Secretariat of Border Affairs, and the general functioning of the 7th-mandate government.