Use Law Against Those Who Insult Poor: Scholar
This combined photo shows Sambo Manara (in the circle) and view of rice field on the background.
- By Uth Raksmey
- June 28, 2023 4:14 PM
PHNOM PENH – Anyone insulting farmers for being poor should face legal action rather than being made to apologise, a prominent scholar says.
Sambo Manara, vice president of the Pannasastra University of Cambodia, says such action would deter others.
Manara spoke amid public anger when an online seller insulted farmers for being poor and not being able to buy durian. The comment led to a heated debate on social media in which many people demanded legal action.
“Farmers don’t have money to buy durian to eat. Only people living in Phnom Penh have the money to buy it,” the seller said.
“The leftover durian will be thrown away or given to the dog to eat. Work hard and earn more money if you want to eat durian.”
The seller later apologised but this was deemed not to be enough.
Manara said people often sought forgiveness for their mistakes on social media but the relevant ministry should pursue legal action to set a precedent to stop others from making the same mistake, and just saying sorry and letting the issue blow over.
“To me, it’s time to take legal action,” he said.
“Four ministries should take action, including the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Cult and Religion, and the Ministry of Tourism.
“We can’t just let the issue blow over with an apology.”
Manara, who is also a well-known historian, said insulting the poor and farmers had happened in the past, which had a huge negative impact on society
“Don’t forget that the revolution of 1970 happened because of the insults to the farmers. In the 1970s and the late 1960s, the people of Phnom Penh mocked the farmers by saying, why are you so poor?” he said.
“Those words were used during my time, which created angers among farmers and gradually created the revolution in the 1960s, 1970s and April 17, 1975, when farmers tied the scarf and became killers, both old and young, with vindictive and revengeful intent."
Manara said ministries should take immediate action against perpetrators because not doing so allows bad behavior in society to increase.
Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Te Chhaysinh for Cambodianess.
