Prime Minister Hun Sen, in his capacity as president of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), expressed his intention to improve analytic skills through training for CPP officials.

While addressing an April 25 graduation ceremony for over 2,000 trainee teachers and educational staff of the National Institute of Education, he suggested that in the near future he might run a training session himself, to teach party officials three important principles.

The premier named the three as critical thinking, situational analysis on a historical basis, and leadership and work strategies.

“Let me speak frankly. Because the analytical capacity of some officials seems weak, I think that we need to offer specialised training. Three theories are not yet being taught, and I want to teach them myself,” he said.

“Analysing a situation is as important as a doctor being able to identify a disease. If the diagnosis is incorrect, how can they plan a course of treatment? It is the same for politicians – if they misunderstand a situation, they will take the wrong action,” he explained.

He added that thanks to these three principles, he had rarely assessed a political situation incorrectly.

“Clearly, the CPP respects my assessments, or I would not be leading the party,” he said.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on April 25 that Hun Sen had led the Kingdom from the most challenging times of hardship, all the way to prosperity.

“Cambodia has prospered under more than 40 year of his leadership,” he added.

He believed that the skills required to lead a nation from the depths of civil war to peace and prosperity certainly encompassed the three theories espoused by the prime minister.

“If he wants to author a book, or even share his knowledge with party officials in person, it could only benefit the Kingdom,” he said.

“These flexible principles are crucial for negotiating a complex world. As a professor of political science, I intend to teach these theories to my students in the future,” he said.