Hun Sen warns an unnamed senior politician19 December 2007
By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
On Wednesday, prime minister Hun Sen accused a senior politician who allegedly acted as his spy, and he warned that he will publicly reveal the proofs, if this politician does not stop criticizing his leadership.
At a speech given during the inauguration of a canal built with Japanese aid in Kandal Stung district, Kandal province, Hun Sen did not directly reveal the name of this politician whom he said used to be his internal agent, and received money from him to allow him to succeed in the 1997 bloody coup d’état, but that now this politician dares criticize him openly.
Hun Sen said: “Watch out, I will publish the tape recorded messages and documents. Some were only my little spies during the (coup d’état) fighting period only, don’t act like a pro, you can’t jump. You took my money and went to work for me as a spy, whatever position you are in, you know it, don’t be so rude, if you can’t talk back, will lightning strike you? I did that much already. Now, you even criticize my son also.”
Hun Sen’s rage took place because, recently, he was under several criticisms regarding the problem of very high gasoline price.
Khieu Kanharith refused to comment on Hun Sen’s warning on this unnamed politician, and human rights officials do not understand who this warning is aimed at. However, several politicians suspect that this warning was directed at opposition MP Son Chhay.
Opposition MP Son Chhay recognized that he criticized non-stop Hun Sen’s leadership, in particular, regarding the price of gasoline issue. Son Chhay said that, recently, he also directed his criticisms on Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s son, who was named as the director of the committee for distribution of scholarships to poor students.
Son Chhay indicated that, in spite of the fact that he is not sure if the warning is aimed at him or not, his criticisms may not be well received by Hun Sen.
Son Chhay said: “We know that our PM has so many tricks (in his sleeve) to preserve his power, but I am saying that being alike politicians who are working together for so many years, there should be mutual respect. And we should have thick skins because it is normal for public figures to be criticized.”
If indeed Hun Sen’s warning is aimed at Son Chhay, then this would be the second time that MP Son Chhay is warned by Hun Sen. Last year, Son Chhay attacked Hor Nam Hong, the minister of Foreign affairs, in Heng Pov’s case, Son Chhay told Hor Nam Hong that his language is childish and he is irresponsible.
Son Chhay said that he is not concerned about his personal safety (because of Hun Sen’s warning).
At a speech given during the inauguration of a canal built with Japanese aid in Kandal Stung district, Kandal province, Hun Sen did not directly reveal the name of this politician whom he said used to be his internal agent, and received money from him to allow him to succeed in the 1997 bloody coup d’état, but that now this politician dares criticize him openly.
Hun Sen said: “Watch out, I will publish the tape recorded messages and documents. Some were only my little spies during the (coup d’état) fighting period only, don’t act like a pro, you can’t jump. You took my money and went to work for me as a spy, whatever position you are in, you know it, don’t be so rude, if you can’t talk back, will lightning strike you? I did that much already. Now, you even criticize my son also.”
Hun Sen’s rage took place because, recently, he was under several criticisms regarding the problem of very high gasoline price.
Khieu Kanharith refused to comment on Hun Sen’s warning on this unnamed politician, and human rights officials do not understand who this warning is aimed at. However, several politicians suspect that this warning was directed at opposition MP Son Chhay.
Opposition MP Son Chhay recognized that he criticized non-stop Hun Sen’s leadership, in particular, regarding the price of gasoline issue. Son Chhay said that, recently, he also directed his criticisms on Hun Manet, Hun Sen’s son, who was named as the director of the committee for distribution of scholarships to poor students.
Son Chhay indicated that, in spite of the fact that he is not sure if the warning is aimed at him or not, his criticisms may not be well received by Hun Sen.
Son Chhay said: “We know that our PM has so many tricks (in his sleeve) to preserve his power, but I am saying that being alike politicians who are working together for so many years, there should be mutual respect. And we should have thick skins because it is normal for public figures to be criticized.”
If indeed Hun Sen’s warning is aimed at Son Chhay, then this would be the second time that MP Son Chhay is warned by Hun Sen. Last year, Son Chhay attacked Hor Nam Hong, the minister of Foreign affairs, in Heng Pov’s case, Son Chhay told Hor Nam Hong that his language is childish and he is irresponsible.
Son Chhay said that he is not concerned about his personal safety (because of Hun Sen’s warning).
