Mr. Hun Xen doesn't want us to call him "Ah Kbot Cheat" (Traitor): Opinion by Uon Sim

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Hun Xen warns to arrest those who insult government officials as being TRAITORS

Dictator-cum-TRAITOR?

11 Jan 2011
Tin Zakariya
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Soy
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Hun Xen sent an open message to all non-ruling political parties that any political competition can take place, but he warns that they cannot paint him and insult him as “TRAITOR”.

Hun Xen announced his warning to all those who criticize and insult high-ranking government officials, telling them to stop the criticisms immediately, otherwise, all these people will face arrest, even if they are MPs with parliamentary immunity.

Hun Xen made this warning announcement during the distribution of diplomas for students at the education institute in Phnom Penh on Monday 10 January.

Hun Xen claims that, even if Cambodia has many political parties competing for votes, the painting of high ranking government VIPs is not allowed: “Even if you have immunity, even with the mother of all immunity, I will attack you, I tell you now! You can curse anything, you can curse the 07 January, but don’t curse with the word ‘TRAITOR’ because you received voted from the people. Therefore, we have to take action, others don’t interfere, foreigners don’t interfere. Would PMs in other countries allow others to curse them ‘TRAITORS of the NATION’? Would Presidents in the world allow other to curse them ‘TRAITORS of the NATION’? I am telling you now, just in case problem will occur.”

Global press group raps staffer’s jailing

Seng Kunnaka (Photo: Ly Meng Huor, RFI)

Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Thomas Miller
The Phnom Penh Post

Global press freedom watchdog Reporters Sans Frontières has condemned last month’s rapid-fire conviction of United Nations World Food Programme employee Seng Kunnaka for criminal incitement.

“This conviction reflects the harder line being taken by the government on online free expression,” the Paris-based group said in a statement released late on Monday.

“While not commenting on the content of the article, we point out that Seng [Kunnaka] did not distribute it publicly, which is punishable under Cambodia law. He just printed it in order to read it with two colleagues,” the group said.

Seng Kunnaka was arrested on December 17 for printing out an online article and sharing it with security guards at the WFP warehouse where he was employed.

Less than 48 hours later, he was convicted of incitement under the new penal code and sentenced to six months jail.

Court and government officials, as well as Seng Kunnaka’s lawyer, have offered scant details on the content of the article. It is believed to have been posted on the news blog KI-Media, which often posts acerbic criticisms of the government.

Following Seng Kunnaka’s conviction, Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan told The Post that the article had referred to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Var Kimhong, the senior minister in charge of border affairs, as “traitors”.

“They accused Hun Sen ... and Var Kimhong of treason and selling land to Vietnam,” he said.

He also said Seng Kunnaka distributed the article publicly.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Traitor?

Hun Xen wary of being called "TRAITOR"

Hun Xen warns not to use the word “TRAITOR”

11 Jan 2011
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Soch

PM Hun Xen warned a group of Cambodians – who are pro-US – that they will be arrested if they use the word “traitor” as they used to do a few years earlier. During a ceremony for the distribution of diplomas to students at Vanda Institute yesterday, Hun Xen declared: “Now, even though Cambodia has many political parties already, they still paint us as communists, as dictators, but I am telling them one thing, don’t curse [us] as ‘the traitors of the nation’. If they curse us this way, it will be a problem [for them].” Hun Xen added: “If you dare use the word ‘traitor’, if you dare call on pointing canons on the government and if I don’t arrest you at your house, then I will prostrate in front you. By pointing canons on the government, I mean that coup d’état or war is coming up soon, therefore, we must put it down beforehand. Don’t say that you have immunity, even with the mother of immunity we will attack you still.”

Don't call me TRAITOR: Hoon Xhen's paranoia [-If the shoe fits, wear it!]

Prime Minister Hun Sen and Education Minister Im Sethy (right) enter the National Institute of Education on Sunday. (Photo by: Heng Chivoan)

Don't call me a traitor: PM

Monday, 10 January 2011
Cheang Sokha and Rebecca Puddy
The Phnom Penh Post

Prime Minister Hun Sen has again lashed out at critics of the January 7 holiday marking the 1979 overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, warning he will arrest anyone who accuses he or other senior officials of being “traitors” to the country.

“I would like to tell you not to curse as a national traitor,” Hun Sen said during a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh on Sunday.

“If you curse, it will be a problem, if you dare to use this word you will be arrested from your homes. Don’t talk about freedom of expression on this matter.”

The premier also warned that any politician or parliamentarian making similar criticisms would lose their parliamentary immunity and be arrested immediately.

“Whether or not you have parliamentary immunity, the father of parliamentary immunity will still arrest [you]. You can say whatever, or curse January 7, but don’t curse as a national traitor,” Hun Sen said.

Don't call Sam-dat Hoon Xhen a TRAITOR, he is in fact ... a HZERO

I am no traitor: Noppadon

Fri, October 31, 2008
The Nation

"Bilateral negotiations to resolve the border dispute with Cambodia are the best option available as other means, such as multilateral talks, international mediation, the United Nations involvement and the litigation in the International Court of Justice, will likely be a disadvantage to the Thai side" - Noppadon Pattama

Former Foreign minister Noppadon Pattama Friday released his book "I am no traitor" to defend his record relating to the Preah Vihear Temple controversy.

Noppadon resigned his office in July in the wake of a censure debate on his involvement in the Cambodian push to include the ancient temple on the World Heritage List, seen by the opposition as having repercussions on the Thai territorial integrity.

"Facts in my book will show that I am a political victim," Noppadon said.

He said opponents of Thaksin Shinawatra tried to fault him as part of their smear campaign against the ousted leader.

He denied that the joint communique he signed had put Thailand at risk for losing 4.6 square kilometers.

Bilateral negotiations to resolve the border dispute with Cambodia are the best option available as other means, such as multilateral talks, international mediation, the United Nations involvement and the litigation in the International Court of Justice, will likely be a disadvantage to the Thai side, he said.

Banned Thai Rak Thai Party executive Chaturon Chaisang said Noppadon was swept out of office by the frenzy of ultra-nationalism although he was not at fault.