Government officials yesterday issued a stern rebuke to the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, demanding they stop stirring up animosity with “bad propaganda” about Vietnamese border encroachment.

The demand comes shortly after CNRP lawmaker Um Sam An accused the Vietnamese of moving border markers 1 kilometre into Cambodian territory.

Responding to the allegations, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hor Namhong and Va Kimhong, senior minister in charge of border affairs, accused CNRP lawmakers of fomenting anger towards the government among the general public, and of damaging relations between Cambodia and Vietnam.

“If [Um Sam An] does not understand the map, or does not have the official map, please come get the map from us,” Kimhong said. “Our border committee is not too stingy to explain it to him, but please stop propagandising nonsense that creates misunderstandings.”

Sam An and CNRP spokesmen Yim Sovann and Yem Ponharith could not be reached for comment yesterday.