Gov’t not using EU aid for
PRIME Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday refuted as “baseless”, claims that the government had used financial aid from the EU to implement the programme to identify and support poor and vulnerable people during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The prime minister was responding to Roth Sothy, a Banteay Meanchey provincial resident and former opposition activist.
Speaking during a visit to a fish-breeding centre in Prey Veng province’s Peam Ro district, Hun Sen said the government had not used even a single cent of the EU fund to implement the cash handouts.
“You said [the government] had handed money to the people using assistance from the EU. I tell you what Roth Sothy, Hun Sen’s government is not falling,” he said, adding that Sothy could have been in jail for his comments.
“Count yourself lucky that I did not order your arrest,” he said.
Hun Sen pointed out that Sothy had previously committed many mistakes and often fled to Thailand. He warned Sothy against repeating the offences, saying he could no longer escape now that Thai authorities have laid barbed wire along the borders to prevent illegal crossings.
The prime minister reiterated that the government had enough forces and resources to deal with the Covid-19 situation.
“Not even a single cent of foreign aid has been used to control Covid-19. Civil servants have not faced salary cuts. As a matter of fact, they receive their salaries regularly.
“Cambodia is not lack i ng cash. A lso, t he sa la r y is not