Premier calls on Aus to be ‘responsible’ amid outcry
JUST days after threatening bodily harm towards would-be protesters on an upcoming visit to Australia, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday appeared to suggest it was he who was in danger, demanding Australia be “responsible” for any incidents that may take place during the trip.
Last week, seemingly out of the blue, Hun Sen warned potential protesters in Australia not to burn his image when he attends the Australian-Asean summit later this month, saying he would follow them home, seize them and “beat” them if they did. Cambodian-Australian protesters promptly began burning his effigy in response.
On Wednesday, the premier appeared to walk back that threat, but still referred to the protesters as “dogs”. Yesterday, he described them as “extremists”.
Speaking at the inauguration of a $4 million temple in Kam- pong Cham, Hun Sen asked the Australian government to bear responsibility for anything that might occur when he visits on March 17 and 18.
“The Australian government must be responsible,” he said. “We need to go to honour Australia.”
Burning effigies “is extremist and it is an insult”, he added, claiming he was “not the one who caused the trouble”.
Victorian MP Hong Lim said it was “ridiculous . . . for him to play this game, to say ‘I am fearful for my safety,’ when he’s the one who threatened the people”.
“For Hun Sen to talk about his security, it’s very insulting with his might and his power,” he added.
All told, Hun Sen’s personal bodyguard detail has been estimated to rival the size of the national military of Senegal.
Yesterday’s speech came a day after Australian opposition lawmakers lambasted Hun Sen’s remarks.
One of them, shadow attorney general Mark Dreyfus, said Hun Sen “was rightly condemned by thousands of Australians” in the wake of the violent rhetoric.
“I will not stand by while Hun Sen threatens to assault members of the AustralianCambodian community, a proud community of Australian citizens who have stood tall against intimidation and harassment by the Hun Sen regime,” he said in Australian parliament on Wednesday.
“When Hun Sen arrives in Sydney next month, he should expect protesters, because Australians do not accept political intimidation.”
Political analyst Lao Mong Hay noted that the sustained outcry over the past week appeared to have had an effect on the premier. “He has toned down his arrogance following sharp national and international criticism and condemnation, especially by Australian politicians,” he said.