Hun Xen: Under this era, 5-star generals are reserved only for the three samdachs (aka operetta generals)

24 December 2009
By Meng Chhay
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Komping Puoy

Phnom Penh – Today, prime minister Hun Xen openly warned all 4-star generals, telling all these generals not to eye the 5-golden-star topmost RCAF rank.

During the inauguration for the construction site of the largest fertilizer in Cambodia in the morning of 24 December, Hun Xen indicated that: “Don’t you seek 5-star at all. Under this era, there will be only 3 [people who will hold] the 5-star rank. This, I tell you in advance for the 4-star [generals], in case you want to ask for a 5-star promotion, don’t dream about it! Just because you saw your chief get a promotion, don’t you dare want the same promotion also. This is a special case!”

Along with his speech, Hun Xen added that he will wear his 5-star insignia the day he will wear his military uniform and when he will go to visit the troops along the border. Right now, Hun Xen’s uniform, which in past bore the 4-star insigniwa, has been modified to include the 5-star insignia already.

Hun Xen said that he will never forget his gratitude to King Norodom Sihamoni for granting him the topmost general ranking with 5 golden stars. The same promotion was also granted to Chea Xim and Heng Xamrin on 21 December 2009.

The Son promotes, the Father devotes: A tale from the Banana Kingdom?

Translated from Khmer by Tola Ek

Norodom Sihanouk of Cambodia

To Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal Chea Sim, Senate President/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin, National Assembly President/Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho Hun Sen, leader of the Royal Government of Cambodia

Highly regarded and beloved Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey Heng Samrin/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho

I and Queen-Mother are very pleased to learn about the promotion of Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho to the topmost rank of 5-star RCAF general from King Norodom Sihamoni.

I and Queen-Mother are warmly praising this promotion which is befitting your renown as you are a supreme nationalist, and an extremely good, clever and able leader who received major successes in every field for your participation in the edification of numerous buildings all over the kingdom of Cambodia, for the supreme interest of the population, the nation and the Cambodian people, as all as for raising the international prestige of our nation on the international level.

I am wishing with all the blessings, may you receive additional major successes forever, and may you be blessed with the four Buddhist blessings.

Please accept, Samdach Akkak Moha Thomok Pothisal/ Samdach Akkak Moha Ponhea Chakrey and the Chumteav Thom/ Samdach Akkak Moha Sena Bat Dey Dek Cho and the Chunteav Thom, my highest regards and my deepest love, as well as those from Queen-Mother.

(Signed) Norodom Sihanouk
Beijing 23 December 2009

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King Promotes CPP Leaders to Generals

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
28 December 2009

The three top leaders of the Cambodian People’s Party were awarded military ranks as five-star generals last week, by order of the king.

Prime Minister Hun Sen, Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin all received their stars on Dec. 21, in a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni.

The newly conferred rank was based on national leadership achievements, according to a copy of the decree obtained by VOA Khmer.

Son Chhay, a lawmaker for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, said by phone Wednesday Cambodia needs a law and a supreme military council to deal with such matters, although he acknowledged the king’s right to make promotions.

Kem Sokha, president of the opposition-aligned Human Rights Party, said the promotions were unnecessary. “Promotion should be balanced to figures of the army,” he said.

Cheam Yiep, a CPP lawmaker, said there was no need for further legislation on military ranks, as the king has the constitutional right to decide.

Sacrava's Political Cartoon: The Royal Xmer Armed Forces

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Cartoon by Sacrava (on the web at http://sacrava.blogspot.com)

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217 army officers promoted

Reported by Khmerization

217 army officers from Division 3 based on the border frontlines in Preah Vihear had been promoted in a promotion ceremony held on 21st April 2009, reports everyday.com.

In a ceremony presiding over by Gen. Kun Kim (pictured), Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army, 13 army officers had been promoted to colonels, 46 had been promoted to the ranks of lieutenant-colonels, 61 promoted to majors, 87 promoted to captains, 76 promoted to first lieutenants and 54 army officers had been promoted to second lieutenants.

Gen. Kun Kim said in the ceremony that these promotions are in response to the competence and the successes achieved by these officers for their roles in the defence of the Cambodian nation.

He said Division 3 is an army unit directly attached to the Command Headquarter and is an army division that the government trusted the most.