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Prime Minister Hun Manet invited exiled opposition lawmaker Um Sam An to return to Cambodia to discuss issues regarding border demarcation in Kamrieng district, Battambang Province.
On the 14th and 15th day of Pchum Ben, the latter being the last day of the festival, saw Hun Manet issuing political messages on his Facebook page in which he described Sam An’s comment on the border demarcation as “baseless”, while inviting him to return to the country for a face-to-face discussion. He also guaranteed both his and his team’s safety until their departure from Cambodia.
“This is a golden opportunity for Mr. Um Sam An and his team to demonstrate their competence as responsible border experts,” Hun Manet said.
Sam An alleged that the temporary border demarcation conducted by the technical team of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) between posts 52 and 59 in Kamrieng encroached “significantly” onto Cambodian territory, and that the government ceded land to Thailand in exchange for peace and power.
The Prime Minister said that the discussion with Sam An would be open to journalists, political parties, civil society organizations, and the public to ensure transparency.
He added that the decision to hold the discussion in Cambodia was so that Khmer people could listen and witness it, and to allow for on-site verification of the terrain if necessary.
“The Royal Government has nothing to hide and does not shy away from accountability for its actions. The government’s technical team of border experts is fully prepared to engage in a frank, direct discussion with Mr. Um Sam An and his team.”
In response to Hun Manet’s invitation, Sam An released an 80-minute video on his Facebook page on the evening of October 10, stating that he dared not return to Cambodia for “fear of imprisonment, being shot dead, or suffering a head injury from an assault”. He urged Hun Manet to demonstrate sincerity.
If he returned to Cambodia, he said, he would want the King to grant him a royal pardon and guarantee his safety against any physical attacks.
Regarding the invitation, he said he is awaiting discussion and a decision from the leadership of the Independent Cambodia Government of October 23, first. The independent government was set up last year by the now-defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) co-founder and leader Sam Rainsy, who is in exile in France, as a parallel government in Cambodia, but does not have any political clout.
“There must be a royal pardon first—the King must pardon me and others; only then it is possible to return. However, I have not decided whether to return, as I need to consult my team and the leadership of the October 23rd Royal Independent Government on how to respond—whether we return to Cambodia or stay away.”
He proposed an alternative option: holding discussions in the U.S., where everyone’s safety is assured, while calling for the release of political prisoners, the holding of free and fair elections, reinstatement of the CNRP, and permission for opposition leaders Sam Rainsy, Eng Chhay Eang, and Mu Sochua to return to the country.
Hun Manet on his Facebook page this Sunday reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety of Sam An and his team—from the moment they arrive in Cambodia until they depart the country.
“If you do not trust me and the Royal Government, you may also ask a foreign embassy in Cambodia or a civil society organization you trust to help monitor your safety,” he said.
“If anything happens to you, I would be the one to lose the most, as I would suffer a loss of credibility as a leader and face accusations.”
Commenting on Hun Manet’s social media post, Cambodian Asia-Pacific geopolitical analyst Seng Vanly said the prime minister’s assertion, “If anything happens to you, I would be the one to lose the most”, cannot be a guarantee for legal and personal security. He said a “politician might only lose popularity”, but an opposition leader could lose their freedom or “even their life”.
Having a debate online or at a neutral location allows the entire nation to listen, without the need for “debate that is only valid if held on Cambodian soil”.
“The government’s dignity and transparency should not hinge on the presence of Mr. Um Sam An. Even without questions from the opposition, the government has a legal and moral obligation to consistently present documents and maps, and to explain border-related work directly to the public.”
Chao Ratanak, the Second Deputy Chief of Poipet Commune, Poipet City, welcomed the meeting proposal, viewing it as a positive sign of renewed “culture of dialogue”, but noted that the initial meeting need not necessarily take place within Cambodia itself.
“Once the initial discussions have yielded a consensus, Cambodia would be the actual location for implementing the work […] I continue to hope for unity and national reconciliation across all political spectrums for the sake of the nation,” she said.
