Seventy National Police generals have been signed into retirement by Prime Minister Hun Sen, having surpassed civil servants’ mandatory retirement age of 60 years old.

The request to retire the generals was made in a letter to King Norodom Sihamoni by the premier on November 27, and yesterday, some of the generals were relieved for the break – if unsentimental about their departure.

“It does not matter; we have reached the age to retire,” said two-star general Nhek Siphorn, who joined the force the same year the Khmer Rouge fell.

Fellow former two-star general Chhay Kimson said he was ready for the time off.

“I have to take a break, because I joined 30 years ago,” said Kimson. “I am tired.”

Erstwhile two-star general Oum Phen said he was eager to see his younger replacements rise in prominence.

“My heart wants the younger generation to be higher up, because the young are sharp.”