According to the original article, Prime Minister Hun Manet told the National Assembly on May 12 that Cambodia should rely on its own capacity to protect peace and national interests and learn from border conflict. AKP’s same-day report also relayed his remarks on defence self-reliance. The original article described military service as addressing security for the next 50 years or longer. The Assembly approved a draft conscription law that day, not a law already promulgated and in force.
Graphic from the original report; its Chinese text paraphrases the remarks.
Prime Minister Hun Manet was reported as saying that the government had considered models from several countries, including Singapore and Finland, and sought military modernisation through improved equipment and personnel’s knowledge of modern technology.The Prime Minister was also reported as stressing that equipment purchases needed to be accompanied by personnel development, including patriotism and resolve.
The original article put the share of Cambodia’s population aged under 25 at about 45% at the time. It also relayed Hun Manet’s encouragement for young people to develop through service, assume national responsibilities, contribute in times of difficulty and set an example for the next generation, with government support for skills development during service.
