Interior Minister Sar Kheng instructed the police officials and local authorities today to serve the people without thinking about political trends or religion, while civil society organisations said such action was nearly impossible.

In a handover ceremony giving 1,646 motorbikes to police stations nationwide, Kheng told police officials that they must serve the people regardless of their own leanings and they need to pay attention to solving the people’s problems.

Sam Kuntheamy, executive director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia, however, said that the speech wouldn't eliminate discrimination at the local.

“Coloring and political discrimination have happened in Cambodia for a long ... the Ministry of Interior has educated officials many times, but it keeps happening, especially at the local level,” he said.

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