Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - ‘Colour revolution’ warning stems from bitter past: Eysan

‘Colour revolution’ warning stems from bitter past: Eysan

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Prime Minister Hun Sen addresses a graduation ceremony. Hong Menea

‘Colour revolution’ warning stems from bitter past: Eysan

Analysts are at odds over Prime Minister Hun Sen’s remarks regarding protecting the Kingdom’s hard-won peace and the government’s policy that there can be no forgiveness for those who threaten peace through “revolutionary acts”.

On March 6, Hun Sen renewed his calls for the public to prevent a “colour revolution” and maintain peace. He also reiterated that there would be no tolerance for those who seek to destroy peace.

“We will not forgive anyone, either Cambodian or foreign, who uses the pretext of democracy or human rights to carry out activities against our independence and sovereignty, as this could plunge us back into civil war. We have had more than enough deaths to earn the peace we now all enjoy, so, it is better that we all work together to preserve it,” he said while addressing a graduation ceremony for students from the Institute of New Khmer Genertation.

His remarks came just days after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced former opposition leader Kem Sokha to 27 years in prison for conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow the government. The verdict deprived Sokha of his right to vote or to engage in politics, and he is barred from communicating with anyone outside his family without court permission.

Cambodian Reform Party founder Ou Chanrath said that no one wanted to see any form of revolution in Cambodia, whether among the general population, government officials or the non-governmental politicians who aim to develop society, in line with democratic principles.

“No foreign countries want to see Cambodia plunged into war either, because it was the same foreigners who helped Cambodia to end its war, negotiate peace and re-build the nation during and after the UN intervention of 1991,” he added.

“The remarks will not mean a great deal to Cambodia, as international relations are traditionally off and on. But it will impact the international community’s trust in us, because the volume of political rhetoric continues to be raised,” he continued.

Political analyst Em Sovannara said there is a risk of the further decline of democracy in Cambodia.

“Several western nations saw the trial against Kem Sokha as unjust, and said it appeared to illustrate Prime Minister Hun Sen’s fear of western influence,” he added.

Sok Eysan, spokesman for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP), said the prime minister’s remarks stemmed from the Kingdom’s bitter experiences during the civil war.

“It is the fear that bad actors could drag Cambodia back into the same catastrophic circumstances as in the past that drove the prime minister’s calls to prevent a colour revolution,” he added.

“The prime minister was concerned that a colour revolution could take place, like those that happened in Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. Those countries have suffered the consequences ever since. Let me ask – was it a gain or loss for those nations?”

“We all remember that Cambodia has been through civil war, a war of foreign aggression, and the genocidal regime of Pol Pot. We suffered terrible destruction before the Kingdom was finally restored,” he concluded.

Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said Cambodia should learn from the colour revolutions that occurred in the Arab world this century, in places like Syria, Libya and Tunisia.

“The situation was not improved in any of those countries by having foreign interlopers topple their governments. It just brought insecurity and destroyed peace. This is the lesson that Cambodia must learn. We must avoid conflict and keep the peace at all costs,” he added.

“The practice of democracy has a different basis in the West than in the Asian world. It is different because of social attitudes, the leadership system and other factors. We cannot compare one to the other. Safeguarding the peace and stability that was earned in 1998 must be our priority,” he concluded.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Brawl marrs football final as Indonesian take gold in seven goal thriller

    The Indonesian men's U22 men national football team were crowned champions of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, defeating Thailand 5-2 in extra time on May 16 at Olympic National Stadium in Phnom Penh. The match was marred by an ugly incident that occured in the 91

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Candlelight Party disqualified from July general election

    The National Election Committee (NEC) has disqualified the Candlelight Party (CP) from contesting the upcoming general election, citing a lack of valid documentation. NEC spokesman Khorn Keomono said the CP failed to fulfil one of the three main requirements: including original documentation proving their registration

  • Thong Khon calls for orderly SEA Games closing ceremony

    Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism and permanent vice-president of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC), calls on all people who have received tickets to the May 17 closing ceremony of the biennial multi-sports extravaganza at the Morodok Techo National Stadium to ensure that the event

  • 1.4 billion dollar Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway due in four years

    The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, has officially signed a public-private partnership agreement with a private company for the construction of a Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project that will connect the capital to Svay Rieng province. The budget for the project is