Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Hun Sen’s Facebook panel plan draws flak

Hun Sen’s Facebook panel plan draws flak

Hun Sen’s Facebook panel plan draws flak

A series of special committees were formed this week by government ministries after a letter from Prime Minister Hun Sen requested they begin monitoring his Facebook page for complaints from citizens that might be in their purview.

Ministry committee members reached yesterday described their new task as doing just that, a function observers criticised as being unlikely to improve government efficiency.

Ou Virak, founder of the Future Forum, criticised the committees as superfluous. “If Hun Sen told ministries they had to listen to people’s problems over the phone, would those ministries create phone-monitoring committees? Ministries should have been concerned with people’s problems long ago, but they don’t care. What they’re doing now is [for show],” he said.

Kem Ley, a social analyst, said that the committees could have some benefit to society if members took the job seriously, but he doubted they would.

Ministries establishing dedicated Facebook committees include the Ministry of Cults and Religion, the Ministry of Land Management and the Ministry of Justice, among others.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom