PHNOM PENH: More details have emerged about the remit of newly announced special envoy to the prime minister Kem Monovithya. She has been appointed to work on investment relations for Cambodia and border affairs, due to her extensive international connections, Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified, Wednesday (Aug 19).
Monovithya is the daughter of former opposition leader Kem Sokha, and was once a senior figure in the court-dissolved Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP).
“His Excellency Kem Sokha’s daughter has joined. She was with a different party; she had different tendencies. Now, she has come in as my envoy. I have not appointed her as a minister in the government, but as an envoy, she needs a role with weight to work with external parties,” Manet explained.
“She wants to help us with work related to investment, plus border issues. I am clarifying once and for all, so no one asks what a special envoy does,” he added.
Manet also emphasised his openness to accepting dissenting opinions, provided they are “not abusive”.
He noted that he welcomes participation and diverse opinions to contribute to nation building, but he will not listen to abusive language, which he observes some individuals using daily.
Manet mentioned having recently met an analyst who questioned whether he accepts external opinions.
“I said, I have never not accepted [opinions] if there is a proper basis. Just don’t be constantly abusive; I won’t listen. Analyse issues clearly, not everyone needs to be in agreement, as I need to know of any shortcomings. I already know the points; I know the policies I put in place. But I welcome evaluation [from outsiders],” he said.
Monovithya’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions from opposition party supporters, with some welcoming it and others criticising it as an opportunistic move for a position. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
