Prime Minister Hun Sen said he was filled with an overwhelming sense of relief upon learning that all of the leaders who left Cambodia after the recent ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh had tested negative for Covid-19.

In his audio address to the nation late on November 16, Hun Sen also cleared up doubts as to why he had not appointed a representative to attend the November 15-16 G20 Summit in Indonesia and the upcoming APEC meeting in the Thai capital Bangkok, after he alone tested positive for Covid-19.

“Cambodia is not a member of G20. If we were, we would assign a minister or deputy prime minister as our representative,” he said, noting that he had been personally invited to the two summits as he is the rotating ASEAN chair.

“In order to ensure the smooth conduct of the [G20] summit, Cambodia had mediated with Indonesia – which has already received the gavel symbolising the ASEAN leadership role – to manage the work of the ASEAN chair. We have no right to assign anyone to represent Hun Sen,” he explained.

The premier said the fact that all of the ASEAN and world leaders had tested negative for Covid-19 and left Cambodia safely after the summit showed the Kingdom’s meticulous preparation and readiness for future main events.

“This demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures employed by Cambodia, both in terms of infectious diseases and security. The favourable conditions provided by the Kingdom were a large part of why the ASEAN Summit and related meetings were so successful,” he said.

Hun Sen said more than 40 people had travelled along with him to Indonesia. And although none of his delegates had tested positive, the presence of anyone who had been in contact with a person carrying the virus would more or less cause concern for hosts Indonesia.

“That is why I decided to return and hand the ASEAN chairmanship to Indonesia. Please do not be confused as to why a representative is not present at the meetings. Once again, we do not have the right to assign one, as we are not a G20 member,” he said.

Pa Chanroeun, executive director of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, said it was a missed opportunity for the Kingdom, as chair of ASEAN, to speak out and address the issues which the bloc and the world are facing.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said Hun Sen’s absence at the meetings had little if any effect on Cambodia’s diplomatic relations with ASEAN, or with the economic powerhouses which make up the G20 bloc.

“Health risks must be taken seriously. A positive test for Covid-19 was unexpected, but the world is aware of the importance of taking measures against the pandemic. I am sure the attendees will understand that this was not a political excuse,” he added.

Hun Sen announced via social media on November 15 that he had tested positive upon arrival in Bali for the G20. He then led the more than 40 Cambodian delegates who were scheduled to attend the G20 and APEC meetings home safely. All of them tested negative the next day.

The premier said he remained asymptomatic, with no fatigue or outward signs of the virus.

“My health is normal, with nothing noticeable. My sleep patterns and my appetite remain normal,” he added.