By:
• Teng Yalirozy

• 30, July 2024 , 3:30 PM

 

PHNOM PENH– Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered a three-to-six-month vehicle seizure for motorcycle gangs when they are cracked down on. At the same time, a social expert said that the reasons of gang problems should be investigated.

“I urge the authorities to detain motorbikes for three months for each offense and for six months for a second offense,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a special message posted on his social media accounts on July 29.

“This measure will maintain public order,” he continued, urging guardians to “educate their children about the dangers they might cause.”

This isn't the first time Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered a crackdown on motorcycle gangs. 

Pa Chanroeun, head of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy and an active social observer, acknowledged the continuous effort to address gang activity but labelled it a short-term solution to a deep-rooted problem.

Gangs are typically small groups of young Cambodians who engage in disruptive and often illegal activities in public spaces. These activities can include violent confrontations, reckless driving to evade police, property damage, theft, drug use, and sexual assault.

Chanroeun stressed that gang activity has been a problem for a long time and needs long-term answers and ways to get rid of its roots so it doesn't get worse.

“To achieve long-term solutions, authorities must study, research, and assess the root causes of gangs, eliminate these causes, and prevent new gang members from forming,” he suggested.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak defended the government's actions when asked if the prime minister’s repeated calls indicated dissatisfaction with previous efforts. 

“The prime minister recognizes the ongoing efforts of the police and authorities,” Sokhak said.

“However, he believes additional measures are necessary to eliminate remaining gang-related problems,” he added. “This doesn’t mean past strategies were ineffective; it’s about continuous improvement.”

Sokhak confirmed that authorities cracked down on 1,494 gang-related cases in the first half of 2024, resulting in 3,994 arrests. Of these cases, 657 were sent to court, involving 1,434 individuals, while administrative measures were imposed on 837 cases affecting 2,560 people.

Since Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a tough law enforcement order on May 23, Sokhak affirmed that authorities have addressed 376 additional cases, leading to 1,506 arrests. Among these, 260 cases with 855 suspects were forwarded to the court, and administrative measures were applied to 116 cases involving 651 individuals.

“While gang-related criminal offenses are declining, their public image persists as a local nuisance rather than a serious crime,” Sokhak noted.

Chanroeun stressed that there must be in-depth study on where gang members come from. He said that dropouts, a lack of jobs in communities, alcohol and media impact, drug trafficking, and bad enforcement of the Safe Village-Commune Policy were some of the main reasons why gangs form.

Former Interior Minister Sar Kheng introduced the Safe Village-Commune Policy in 2010 to counter the spread of drugs, gambling, robbery, and gangs. But Chanroeun noted that no one has evaluated this policy's effectiveness. 

Sar Sokha, who replaced his father as Interior Minister in August 2023 under Hun Manet’s government, now faces a new surge in gang activity.

“We must prevent and eliminate the gangster problem to safeguard social security,” Chanroeun declared. “Solely arresting and detaining visible gangsters does not inspire confidence in our ability to eradicate and prevent gang issues.”

“This is a social problem demanding attention, research, and a comprehensive understanding of its sources and other contributing factors,” he concluded.