Prime Minister Hun Sen presides over the opening of the new ‘Court of Justice’ building on June 26. SPM
Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned the Ministry of Justice not to underestimate the potential for “extremists” to commit political crimes that threaten the Kingdom’s peace and stability.
Speaking at the opening of the new “Court of Justice” building that serves both the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and Court of Appeal on June 26, he said the ministry, on behalf of the government and the Supreme Council of Magistracy, needs to maintain a firm control of criminal policy, particularly with regard to “extremist acts”, which he warned are “abundant” in Cambodia.
“This requires the government, through the justice ministry, to control criminal political elements. We cannot underestimate this. There is fighting in our neighbouring countries, and some of the agitators have plans to escape to Cambodia and hide here.
“Why was there an armed rebellion in Russia? They had a powerful mercenary army, and it switched from fighting in Ukraine to moving towards Moscow. This is something we need to think about,” he added.
The premier explained that managing such threats was one of the government’s main obligations.
On June 16, Hun Sen issued orders to the Kingdom’s armed forces, especially those along the Cambodia-Vietnam border in Ratanakkiri and Mondulkiri provinces, to be extra vigilant and prevent rebel ethnic groups from fleeing into Cambodian territory.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told The Post on June 26 that there must be a clear separation between freedom of expression and incitement that could lead to social unrest.
“The public could be easily misled by propaganda and incitement. This could lead to a crisis if the situation is not brought firmly under control,” he said in reference to calls by overseas-based opposition groups for people to oppose the government.
“It is not just that those who fall for such incitement may find themselves in trouble, it is the whole of society that may be affected. These issues need to carefully managed, in order to maintain social stability. Once again, I want to make it very clear that there is a difference between freedom of expression and anarchic statements which could lead to social unrest,” he said.
