Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Banh: RCAF still key to protecting Constitution

Banh: RCAF still key to protecting Constitution

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh (above) said on Wednesday that the RCAF remains an indispensable force in protecting the Constitution. MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE VIA FACEBOOK

Banh: RCAF still key to protecting Constitution

Minister of National Defence Tea Banh on Wednesday praised the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces’ (RCAF) role in preserving the Kingdom’s sovereignty and peace.

He was speaking during the closing ceremony of a workshop held by the ministry’s Personnel Department at the Phnom Penh’s University of National Defence.

Banh also introduced the ministry’s next five-year personnel development plan which is set to run from 2020-25.

“The RCAF remains [Cambodia’s] backbone and an indispensable force in protecting the Constitution, monarchy, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, peace, [and] political stability,” he said.

The forces, he said, had successfully “prevented deceptive colour revolutions and all kinds of hostile activities of the opposition and [other] ill-intentioned circles who endlessly try to impede development and push Cambodia away from the path to democracy and the rule of law”.

Banh also called on RCAF commanders to strengthen their management of troops and existing inspection mechanisms in a timely manner to better ensure the benefits brought on by the forces.

He said it was important for soldiers to avoid criminal activities and other actions that could adversely affect the public’s perception of the RCAF.

In lieu with this, he called for the thorough inspection of old and new soldiers and trainees sent to schools and military education institutions inside and outside the country to ensure that they have proper qualifications and the capacity to serve.

Kin Phea, the director-general of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, seconded Banh’s statement, adding that the RCAF should “prevent any illegal attempt to change the government in Cambodia”.

The RCAF has been successful in maintaining the Kingdom’s national security and political stability by preventing attempts by the opposition party to provoke social unrest, he said.

However, a former lawmaker of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), Ou Chanrath, said Banh’s statement was an attempt to smear the opposition party.

He claimed the opposition never had the intention to organise a colour revolution but only sought justice against what the government had allegedly done to them.

Banh’s statement could lead to social division, Chanrath said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former