Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ministry wades into fray over Australia state politician

Ministry wades into fray over Australia state politician

Khmer-Australian politician Hong Lim, who earlier this week slammed government spokesman Phay Siphan’s “absurd, ridiculous and stupid” actions. Parliament of Victoria
Khmer-Australian politician Hong Lim, who earlier this week slammed government spokesman Phay Siphan’s “absurd, ridiculous and stupid” actions. Parliament of Victoria

Ministry wades into fray over Australia state politician

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday weighed in on the spat between government spokesman Phay Siphan and Khmer-Australian politician Hong Lim, denouncing the latter as a “persona non grata for the Kingdom of Cambodia”.

Lim, a Victorian state MP for the Labor Party, drew the ire of Siphan for calling Cambodia’s regime a “beast” in an interview about the murder of political analyst Kem Ley, with Siphan on Tuesday delivering a petition at the Australian Embassy calling for the politician to apologise.

Lim hit back, calling Siphan’s conduct “beneath contempt” and “politically motivated”.

In a release, the Foreign Ministry condemned Lim in the “strongest terms” for the “disgraceful statement” and the “humiliation made by Hong Lim upon the” Kingdom.

In a statement of its own, the Australian Embassy acknowledged the concerns surrounding the matter and said Lim did not speak on behalf of the Australian government or embassy.

However, they also noted Australia’s “robust tradition of different views being aired in public discussion”.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm