Hun Xen: Only I and my 4 pals are allowed to use siren escort

Hun Xen announced the cut down on the number of siren escorts

13 Feb 2011
By Den Ayuthyea
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soch
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Hun Xen announced a lowering in the number of high-ranking officials who have the right to use cars equipped with sirens to lead their procession in order to reduce the number of traffic jams.

Hun Xen warned and issued his order to his underlings who, in the past, used cars equipped with sirens to lead their procession. He told them to stop doing this immediately because from now on, those who have the privilege to such use are only limited to the country’s top 5 leaders: the king [Sihamoni], the hero-king [Sihanouk], [the president of the National Assembly (NatAss), the president of the Senate and himself.]

Hun Xen stressed that cars equipped with sirens that were used or driven along public roads annoy people and cause traffic accident that could take the lives of many road travelers.

Hun Xen added: “The use of the siren that sounds ‘Ngeng, Ngeng’, it annoys the students, annoys on holidays. Why turn it on? And don’t drive too fast. I believe that, short of that, we just set the limit. We keep only for 4 royals and 3 commoners. If they don’t listen, I will issue a sub-decree banning its use. We keep [its use] for the king [Sihamoni and Sihanouk], the president of the NatAss, the president of the Senate and the prime minister.”

Hun Xen made this announcement during the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge crossing the Lower Mekong River in Neak Leoung on 12 Feb 2011. The bridge will link National Road No. 1 from Kandal province to Prey Veng and Svay Rieng. The bridge is a donation aid from the government of Japan.

Hun Xen’s announcement was welcomed by the majority of the public.

Pheap Soriya, a man who lives in Phnom Penh, said that, if Hun Xen’s order sticks then he will lend his full support to it. He said that accidents were always caused by these cars equipped with sirens that traveled very fast and some of them are even fatal.

Pheap Soriya said: “Just because they are one-star or two-star generals, why do they use sirens also? If only 5 people like the PM claimed, then I will support it. The use of sirens cause traffic jams, people are stuck on the road and it almost always caused accidents.”

Another doctor, who asked to remain anonymous, also welcomed Hun Xen’s order. He indicated that, in the past, accidents and nuisance stemmed from the anarchic use of sirens and there were many accidents caused to the traffic. It also annoys hospital patients who are resting in hospitals: “It affects patients in hospitals, those who are very ill, etc…”

Nevertheless, opposition officials and some in the public believe that Hun Xen’s order will not stick because they noted that, in the past, Hun Xen’s order are not put into application by lower level government officials at all.

Kem Sokha said: “It just works at the beginning only. Look at the deforestation problem, the anarchic police barrage, he [Hun Xen] only talked for the sake of talking, lower level officials still don’t put them to use and he [Hun Xen] never charge his minions. Therefore, I have no much trust in what he is talking. If this work can be accomplished, then it will be good because it [siren] annoys our people a lot. Even a MP who drives his car to go play chess or to go gamble, he also uses siren as well.”

Nevertheless, Hun Xen stressed that, regarding his order to reduce the number of cars equipped with siren, if people still do not respect his order, he will push the ministry of Interior to set up a new sub-decree to end the use of sirens and to punish officials who refuse to comply with his order.