PHNOM PENH: Former opposition lawmaker Um Sam An has accepted an invitation from Prime Minister Hun Manet, and will send a delegation to Cambodia next month to discuss the current border situation.
He expressed hopes that the discussions could pave the way for a new culture of political dialogue aimed at national reconciliation and unity.
Sam Un has previously expressed concerns that parts of Cambodian territory between border markers 52 and 59 have been ceded to Thailand.
Manet previously invited Sam An to travel to the Kingdom for discussions and to examine documents or other evidence he may hold, offering a guarantee for his safety while he was here.
Sam An had called for previous charges to be dropped and suggested that the prime minister petition the King for a Royal pardon. Manet offered a compromise; that Sam Un send a delegation for discussions.
In a Facebook post, Um Sam An confirmed that he would formally respond to the prime minister’s invitation and submit the names of his delegation members before the end of October, in line with a deadline set by Manet.
“I will send a delegation representing me to Cambodia next month at the invitation of Hun Manet. I will prepare an official letter in response to his invitation and submit the names of my delegation to him before the end of October,” he said.
Sam An shared his hope that the discussions would mark the beginning of a new culture of political dialogue between a younger generation of Cambodian politicians, without allowing personal grievances or political differences to interfere with national interests.
“As politicians of the same new generation, I hope that Hun Manet and I can establish a new culture of dialogue to replace the Sam Rainsy–Hun Sen dialogue, in the spirit of national reconciliation, national unity, national solidarity and the defence of our territory against Thai aggression,” he said.
Sam An argued that Cambodia’s most pressing challenge was what he described as “aggression by a neighbouring country”, and called on politicians and the public alike to unite in defending the country’s territorial integrity.
In the same statement, he called for the recovery of Cambodian territory from 85 locations currently occupied by Thailand.
Sam An’s response marks a new development following a series of public over allegations that the government had allowed Cambodia to lose territory along the Cambodia–Thailand border between markers 52 and 59.
Manet had previously invited Um Sam An and his team to Phnom Penh for direct discussions with the government’s border officials to present and verify documents, evidence and information concerning border demarcation in the area.
The prime minister outlined four conditions for Sam Un’s appointed representatives.
These included granting the delegation full authority to conduct discussions. Sam Un must provide all available documents, evidence and witnesses, acknowledge the statements and arguments presented by the representatives, and accept the outcome of the verification process conducted with the government’s border team.
Um Sam An did not explicitly state whether he would accept all four conditions outlined by Hun Manet, particularly the requirement that he acknowledge the outcome of the verification process conducted by his representatives.
Manet reiterated that the security guarantees he had previously extended to Um Sam An and his team remained unchanged and would also apply to any appointed delegation.
He highlighted that accusations against the government and its border officials of ceding Cambodian territory to Thailand were serious allegations that required clear documentary evidence to prevent public misunderstanding and uncertainty.
Commenting recently on the political disagreements surrounding the border issue, political analyst Meas Nee said direct discussions among Cambodian politicians were particularly important for reducing divisions and could provide an opportunity to rebuild mutual trust.
He warned that exploiting border disputes for political advantage could deepen Cambodia’s internal weaknesses, while suggesting that holding discussions in a third country could be an alternative if politicians were genuinely committed to resolving national issues.
Separately, political analyst Yang Peou said Cambodian politicians could hold different political views and policy positions but should maintain a common commitment to protecting national sovereignty and interests, particularly as Cambodia continued to face a border conflict with Thailand.
“Politicians may oppose one another over political views or policies, but they cannot oppose national interests,” he noted.
The delegation’s membership or date and venue of the proposed meeting have yet to be announced. Sam An has pledged to submit an official response and the names of his representatives to the prime minister before the end of the month. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
