• Politics

PM Hun Sen Makes Final Public Engagement Before Power Handover

• By Torn Chanritheara
• August 3, 2023 10:57 AM

PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Sen made his final public engagement on August 3 before the expected transfer of power to his son Hun Manet later this month after a landslide victory in the July 23 general election.

Hun Sen presided over the inauguration ceremony of the 52km third ring road connecting National Road 4 to National Road 2. The road cost $460 million using a loan from China and government finance.

According to preliminary results, the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and FUNCINPEC won seats in the National Assembly with the CPP taking 120 seats and the royalist party five.

In his final speech as head of government, which lasted two hours, the outgoing PM Hun Sen said as the head of the winning party he will request the King to appoint Manet as PM on August 7. The first session of the National Assembly is set for August 21 with the new government being appointed the next day.

He said that CPP had considered two scenarios for the succession. The first was that he would continue to lead the new government for one to two years before handing over to new blood. The second plan was the immediate transfer of power.

“The permanent committee of CPP has chosen the second scenario,” he said.

“The transfer of power to the youth is good to ensure that we are all at peace with the older people stay with the younger, continue to maintain peace and development.”

He said the handover right after the general election was to ensure peace and stability while avoiding any political turmoil and unwanted disruption in the country’s long-term development. It was also important that the young blood could get their responsibilities to lead the country from previous generation.

He said the older generation will not try to influence the decisions of the new prime minister and his ministers, giving sufficient independence to the new government, but they have to follow the party policy promised to the people. He said that he will summon the prime minister to his office at the CPP’s headquarter for clarification as well.

Some current ministers will be members of the National Assembly, Senate or be appointed as advisors to the government. Hun Sen also confirmed that Women’s Affairs Minister Ing Kanthaphavi and Minister of Culture Phoeurng Sackona will retain their positions. 

Hun Sen will also remain as the CPP’s president and member of the new National Assembly. He will then contest in Senate Election in February 2024 and become the upper house president. He will also serve as president of the High Privy Council — the position with equal rank to the prime minister — with Heng Samrin, Sar Kheng, Tea Banh and Men Sam An as members.

Hun Sen on July 29 announced that the politically appointed officials would remain in the new government and said public officials would not be affected despite changes in the country’s leadership.