Prime Minister Hun Sen, Interior Minister Sar Kheng and National Police Chief Neth Savoeun showed their appreciation for the achievements of the National Police but reminded that the country faces many complicated challenges.

The praise was part of the 75th anniversary of the General Commissariat of National Police, which was created on May 16, 1946.

Reading from a four-page letter, Hun Sen said the national police continue to cooperate with the Royal Gendarmerie on territorial integrity protection, securing a peaceful boundary, friendship, cooperation and development. They also protect against terrorists and transnational crime.

He continued that the national police struggle against all kinds of manipulated actions to allow for a warm living atmosphere for citizens and serve the national development. They protect against the colour revolution, he said, a term used to describe revolutions in the 2000s.

Hun Sen said besides facing global issues, Cambodia has been affected by political and economic pressure from a foreign country with the intent to interfere and destroy the Cambodian Government and allow the opportunity to those who want to betray the country through a coup d’état and change the government in Cambodia.

He stressed that “the professional consciousness and patriotic spirit of the national police in serving the social interest is priceless”.

In his letter, Sar Kheng similarly said that the national police fights terrorism, money laundering and criminal financing and that while crimes have increased, those such as robbery, rape and the illegal use of weapons were decreasing.

Hun Sen said this year and next year, Cambodia might be challenged with negative pressures and affected by global issues and outside factors that require the Kingdom to strengthen national and internal security.

He suggested the national police stop all kind of offences, including drug offences and trafficking of woman and children, as well as improve their capacity to fight against technology offences and exaggerated fake news.

The Commissioner of the National Police Neth Savoeun said in his letter: “As Cambodia is in the middle between the political geography of the Indo-Pacific strategy and China’s belt and road initiative, the internal security of Cambodia becomes more fragile.”