Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the establishment of an infrastructure fund along the Cambodian border to raise funds and provide opportunities for locals and Cambodians overseas to participate directly with the government.
The new fund will focus on the construction of a border ring road, following allegations that four northeastern provinces would be ceded to Vietnam under the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) pact. The government started the fund for border infrastructure development to defend territorial integrity.
In the days leading up to the supposed demonstration against the CLV-DTA, more than 30 people—including political party members and human rights advocates—were detained. On Monday night, 16 youths, who were in Phnom Penh to attend a social protection forum by the Youth Resource Development Program in a hotel, were arrested and questioned, but have been released since.
Meanwhile, Hun Manet thanked “compatriots”, like tycoons, government officials and artists, as well as citizens who donated money to participate in the border infrastructure campaign, for their “big support” to the government.
Among the donors were the Cambodian patriarch of the Mohanikaya sect of Buddhism which gave 170 million riel (approximately $41,700) for the border infrastructure fund.
“This contribution clearly showed the willingness, love and nationalism via the development of the border to guarantee strong national defense and protection,” Manet said.
Seng Teang, deputy chief of the Prime Minister’s Cabinet, who is incharge of this fundraising campaign, told CamboJA News that the fundraising activity was for everyone to help the government develop the infrastructure near the border of the country.
He said there are six bank accounts for the public to donate, adding that the campaign has no deadline. “So, if people want to donate, we will accept it as this is voluntary, not forced,” Teang remarked.
On the first day of the campaign, “thousands of people” donated money.
Teang did not know whether the funds are for infrastructure development in Ratanakiri, Kratie, Stung Treng and Mondulkiri, only that it will be built along the border. “I don’t know where the road will be built, I am only collecting the money,” said Teang.
In addition to fundraising, there was a digital photo frame campaign on Facebook. A few months ago, citizens, including teachers and students, and government officials, used ministry-designed digital photo frames in their social media profiles as a form of support for the CLV project, Funan Techo canal and “Thanks Peace” campaigns.
Chan Chek, a graduate of Royal University of Phnom Penh, said he contributed $2.50 to the infrastructure fund to show his support and solidarity.
“The donation is a contribution to our nation. Although it’s not much, I want to participate as a citizen to build our country,” he said.
Suon Touch, a fourth-year Public Administration Law student at Royal University of Law and Economics, donated $2.50. “I think we can donate to the government directly or donate to the institutions which are working for the government to build the infrastructure along the border,” he said. “I hope that the government will use the money from the people to develop a vision.”
On July 30, 2024, he inspected the Cambodia-Vietnam border area in Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces, which was his first direct visit to the border since he took office as premier.
“The people who can protect territorial integrity, especially along the border, effectively and sustainably are the citizens, not the armed forces. So, economic and social development, including the construction of infrastructure as well as the improvement of the living standards of the people, who live along the border, was necessary,” Manet said.
Pen Bona, government spokesperson, told CamboJA News that Hun Manet established the fund after people requested donations to the government to build infrastructure along the border.
The prime minister provided an opportunity for everyone to participate throughout the country to show their love for the country by contributing to infrastructure development along the border.
“The government has been working for a long time to develop the border. There are police stations, roads, and villages. People have done it and will continue to do so,” Bona said.
He mentioned that any amount of money raised would be enough for the construction of schools, hospitals, water wells, and roads. “When our border develops, more people will come and create a ‘strong fence’ to defend the country”.
According to Bona, the fund was set up when a handful of “extremists” accused the government of ceding land to foreigners. Now, many people across the country are joining forces with the government to build up the border infrastructure to protect territorial integrity, he said.
“So, for those who express themselves as patriots, love the land and do not want to lose it, come and participate, don’t just pledge,” Bona said.
Yang Kim Eng, executive director of the People’s Center for Peace and Development, told CamboJA News that contributing to nation development was important for remote areas where there is inadequate infrastructure, but it was also important to have transparent and accountable fund management to ensure public trust.
“People should be able to have all the information about the budget. The information should be made public,” said Kim Eng. “It will be very useful if [the government] manages it well as it will assure development. There will be no gap between urban and rural areas, and it will prompt more people to move.”
Kim Eng said if people moved to border areas, it would be a form of border protection. At the same time, he added, the state should pay more attention to border issues with regards to development in order to improve people’s lives rather than build roads as it “does not ensure a good life”.
“The development should come with a package that includes water, electricity, roads, schools, hospitals and markets, which are important for people to have a better life. These include turning those areas into tourist attractions,” he said.
