Hun Sen Will Continue to be a Prime Ministerial Candidate Forever

4th April 2008
By Mayarith
Radio Free Asia

Translated from Khmer by Khmerization
http://khmerization.blogspot.com/


Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) said that he will continue to stand as a PM candidate forever, if the PM candidates from the opposition party is the same person.

PM Hun Sen, who held power since the 1980s and who has been elected PM 3 times since the UN-organised election, have come under criticism of being stubbornly not wanting to give up power.

Speaking to supporters in Banteay Meanchey province, Mr. Hun Sen criticised the opposition party of doing exactly the same as him. In an apparent reference to Mr. Sam Rainsy, Mr. Hun Sen said: “If he still continue to be an opposition leader, I will continue to be a PM candidate. We both have held on to our position for a long time, we are the same, so I wish you good luck and you just wish me good luck. As long as you are still an opposition leader, I will still be a leader of a ruling party. There is nothing wrong. Don’t say that the PM is the same person. What about the opposition leader? He is the same person also, what can you say about that? No way! Please be clear about this: if the people wanted to elect a new or elect an old leader, it’s their choice. Don’t say that the PM is the same face and we must change. What about you? You are the same opposition leader for a long time, why don’t you say anything about yourself?”

It must be noted that Mr. Hun Sen’s speech came 3 months before the parliamentary election and an election to elect a leader for the new government of the 4th mandate.