Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng warned administrators at all levels not to underestimate local disputes, no matter how small they appear.
“They should be resolved as quickly as possible, so they do not become larger issues which could be used to attack the government,” he said.
Kheng, who is the interior minister, presided over a March 12 fundraising ceremony for the construction of a new building at Samdech Preah Sangkhareach Bour Kry National University in Kandal province’s Ang Snuol district.
“Local conflicts should not be underestimated. Please pay attention to well resolving them as fairly as possible. All that people want is justice, and they will support us if we provide it to them,” he said.
“It is very difficult for anyone to accept injustice, and hard to explain to someone who has never experienced this. To earn the people’s support and maintain good relationships, we need to make sure we treat everyone equally,” he added.
Kheng stressed that fair settlement of disputes would help strengthen political stability and protect public order.
He said that in the current era, while the country was developing in all sectors, people had no difficulty in reporting their problems. They could report them to local authorities, village and communes. If they couldn’t resolve the issue, people could even contact the Prime Minister or message him directly.
“Unlike before, it is now very easy to raise a complaint. Previously, they had to be submitted in writing – and sometimes they were not accepted. Now of course, people can do it via social media or a simple phone call. When we receive a complaint, we do our very best to resolve it as soon as possible,” he added.
During the ceremony, Kheng commended the venerable Bour Kry and other monks for initiating the construction of the national university in Ang Snoul, which charges no tuition.
“They make an important contribution to the education sector in Cambodia,” he said.
