PPenh governor looks down on voters, telling them to raise pigs and chiken, plant crops and leave politics to politicians exclusively

Kep Chuktema asks people not to join any demonstration called for by politicians

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Rasmei Kampuchea
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Kep Chuktema, Phnom Penh city governor and Hun Sen’s personal advisor, called and warned 2,000 people in Dankao district, saying that he asked the Phnom Penh people to remain quiet and not to be fooled by some politician’s propaganda asking them to join an anti-inflation demonstration, and demanding for higher wages, so that these people can avoid any danger like the one which took place in 1975.

Kep Chuktema made this claim during an inauguration of a road construction site in Kraing Thnung commune, Dangkao district, in which 2,000 people participated, in the morning of 21 April 2008.

Kep Chuktema indicated: “I ask all of you to think and not to believe propagandas made by the politicians. Leave politics to politicians, you should work in the field and produce the crops, raise pigs, chicken, ducks, cows, buffalos, fishes, plant vegetables to sell in the Phnom Penh market so that you can improve you family living condition.”

He explained that demonstrations cannot resolve anything, and they can only create unrest and havoc in Phnom Penh, and if the demonstrators destroy shops, jewelry stores, markets, and they start looting, then who would be responsible?

Kep Chuktema indicated that the government of Cambodia led by Hun Sen bring safety over 100% of the country, and it pushed up the price of lands, improved the livelihood of the population, and they have no fear, why then some would want a demonstration that creates unrest in the country and the city, and it will also lower the price of land as well? What is the goal (of those who want to hold the demonstration)?

Kep Chuktema claimed: “You can trust us, we are city governor, we are prime minister of the country, we defend and protect the city, and provide good security and safety, people have no fear. We are not dumb to let somebody do anything they please. I, the city governor, hace the duty to protect security for the people, we do whatever for the people until we achieve it.”

Eng Chhai Eang, SRP Secretary-general, said in the afternoon of 21 April, that the SRP only plans to hold a demonstration, and the SRP did not set a definite date yet, it is still waiting to observe the situation first.

Regarding Kep Chuktema’s call on the people not to join any demonstration, Eng Chhai Eang said: “The holding of a demonstration is the right of the people as stipulated in the Constitution. People can join the demonstration or not, it’s the people right.”