Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a message to the public on January 13, urging everyone to turn the nation’s pain into firm determination to defend their beloved homeland and make Cambodia strong, in keeping with the sacred aspirations of every Cambodian. He added that unity and the participation of all actors were needed to eliminate all negative problems associated with technology-enabled scam crime in the national interest. The full text of his message follows:
To my beloved compatriots!
In this difficult time, when our nation has suffered a war of aggression against its sovereignty and territorial integrity, I have clearly witnessed the strong spirit of solidarity and national unity among Cambodians. I have also clearly seen the pain of our nation and our people—a pain that has inspired sincere patriotism and the firm determination of people everywhere to build a strong nation.
Indeed, the nation’s current difficulties are the difficulties of every Cambodian. But the crucial task now is to turn these national difficulties and the firm determination of every Cambodian into the nation’s strong fighting spirit and sacred goal: to stand united in defending our beloved homeland and making Cambodia strong, in accordance with every Cambodian’s sacred aspirations. At the same time, we now need to unite with shared national determination to strengthen national potential in every sector and eliminate all negative phenomena in society that weaken the nation.
Social security and public order, and the fight against crime, are a priority of the Royal Government’s policy to ensure peaceful lives for the people. Combating technology-enabled scam crime is a particularly important task at present, alongside efforts on other major national priorities.
Recognising the serious danger to our society posed by technology-enabled scam crime, and the complexity of this modern crime whose networks interconnect across countries, the Royal Government, from the sixth National Assembly term through the beginning of the seventh term, has taken many measures against it and achieved many positive results. The seventh-term Royal Government’s decision to make combating crime a priority on its political agenda is no coincidence. Its successive strict and forceful measures against technology-enabled scam crime demonstrate the implementation of its political commitment to fighting this cross-border crime, which is a shared concern of Cambodia, the region and the world.
For these reasons, I very much want to see participation, with commitment and sacrifice for the nation, from all relevant actors. In particular, I call for participation by Cambodians of every social background and political tendency, as well as civil servants, local authorities and all relevant law-enforcement forces. Together, let us become a great force of Cambodian national solidarity to eliminate all negative problems associated with technology-enabled scam crime and enhance the fine reputation of the Kingdom of Cambodia on the international stage.
By: Chinta Titi
