PHNOM PENH: Senate president Hun Sen has taken to social media to address opposition groups who have criticised both the public and the government for organising Khmer New Year celebrations in the face of territorial encroachment by Thai troops. He stated, “A wound on one little finger should not leave the entire body paralyzed”.
Posting on Tuesday (April 14), the first day of the traditional Khmer New Year, Hun Sen noted: “A wound on one little finger should not make the entire body disabled. Can we forbid the Tevada (angels) from descending? Can we forbid the people from celebrating the New Year? Especially when Cambodia currently does not have a Covid-19 outbreak like in 2020”.
“We acknowledge that we are still facing difficulties along the border with Thailand regarding certain areas and times, which are hardships for the armed forces at the border and some displaced people — whom we have supported, so that they have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year as well,” he added.
He continued by posing a question.
“For the other 17 million people, should we expect them to just cry and halt their socio-economic activities? Should they be closing markets, closing businesses, closing banks, closing factories, closing farms, closing schools, etc., to the point of preventing people from enjoying themselves during the New Year?” he asked.
Leading up to the New Year, several opposition groups have criticised the government for staging entertainment and celebratory events while Thailand continues to occupy several parts f the Kingdom. Some even compared Cambodian citizens to grasshoppers — only thinking about singing and playing — while comparing Thais to ants who work hard to gather food.
“Extremists criticise the Royal Government for organising Sankranta, by accusing the government of not considering the hardships of the troops and displaced people. Their intention is to make the entire nation fall into a state of paralysis without socio-economic activity. I compare this to how a wound on one little finger should not [cripple] the whole body,” Hun Sen said.
He added that the joyful activities of the people everywhere during the New Year are equivalent to a “slap in the face” to those who oppose the New Year celebrations. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
