PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) has detailed the reasoning behind the government’s push for mandatory military service, citing ongoing global conflicts and recent border tensions with Thailand.
Speaking at an extraordinary session of the National Assembly on Wednesday (May 13) — where a draft conscription law was unanimously passed — Manet stated that the government had studied various international conscription models, including those of the US, Switzerland, Singapore and Israel.
The Cambodian model will require men aged between 18 and 25 who are selected by lottery to complete two years of military training. Following active duty, they will remain in the reserve forces until the age of 45. The total number of conscripts will be determined by the government.
Women may join on a voluntary basis.
The law also includes job protection, ensuring that workplaces must maintain the positions of those called to serve.
“Peace cannot be obtained through pleas. The events of past year have shown us clearly that we cannot rely entirely on others; we must be strong ourselves,” the Prime Minister said.
“Today, many countries follow the principle of ‘Peace through Strength.’ Whether we like it or not, we must accept this reality and be self-reliant. I reiterate: maintaining peace requires us to help ourselves, rather than asking for help from others,” he added.
Addressing national security, Manet emphasised that Cambodia — which is not part of any military bloc like Nato — must modernise its military structure, training, equipment and governance. He noted that recent territorial threats serve as a testament to the need for increased capacity.
The prime minister also sought to allay public concerns that the children of the wealthy might evade service. He clarified that the law would be supported by a sub-decree establishing clear, mandatory requirements for everyone. He urged the public to focus on the dignity and honour of serving the nation, rather than focusing on personal losses.
“If people fear losing things like salary or time, how can they show devotion to the nation? Look at the thousands of youths, soldiers, and police currently stationed along our borders to protect our land. Consider how hard they are working and how much they sacrifice,” he said.
Manet concluded by noting that past conflicts have only strengthened Cambodian patriotism. He urged lawmakers to highlight the positive aspects of the law, hoping to shift the public mindset from fearing the obligation to feeling a sense of pride in serving.
“We want to move past the question of whether only the poor will serve. The new goal is to make military service so prestigious that everyone wants to join — even the sons of the rich,” he said.
Manet raised the word of former US President John F. Kennedy who one said, “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country”.
“Please don’t just ask about what you will get, but also what you will offer,” he added.
According to the prime minister, about 45 per cent of the Kingdom’s population is under 25 years of age.
Closing his address, Manet emphasised that the conscription model is not meant as a threat to any other nations, it is purely defensive. He reiterated that Cambodia wants peaceful cooperation and relation with all neighbouring countries. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
