Prime Minister Hun Sen made an appeal to public safety yesterday, announcing $6 million in bonuses for soldiers and law enforcement in anticipation of the Khmer New Year.

The premier called for armed forces to be on guard as he announced the pay bump for the nearly 100,000 soldiers, 60,000 police and numerous other civil servants working during the New Year.

“I have never had a good feeling during big celebrations,” he said, adding that the heads of the military police, police and defence minister would be with him in Siem Reap during the holiday, to better coordinate a response in case of a terrorist attack.

On Sunday, Interior Minister Sar Kheng issued a letter to the National Police to maintain public order during the festivities.