Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday hit back at criticism of his politicking in schools, saying it was students’ right to express their love and support for the Cambodian People’s Party.

The premier’s comments, reported by state news agency AKP, came in response to criticism of his visit to a Takeo high school on August 16 when he told students to vote for the CPP and reminded them they were learning “under the schools of samdech [his royally bestowed title]”.

The Education Ministry last year banned all “political propaganda” in schools. But, according to AKP, Hun Sen told a meeting of state officials in Kampong Cham the support expressed by the students was just a reflection of his “good deeds”.

“I come here to solve problems, so children, students, or teachers are satisfied with my actions, so they screamed victory for the CPP,” he said. “How I can close their mouths since it is their freedom of expression?”