Start of Manet’s term ‘outstanding’
ALTHOUGH Prime Minister Hun Manet’s administration is still young, his leadership abilities are proving to be credible, said local political observers.
Yang Peou, secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, highlighted Manet’s high-energy approach to performing government tasks, saying the government is advancing its Pentagonal Strategy in a practical way.
“The new government is working tirelessly on both internal and external policies. It has also undergone positive changes and taken an active part in regional and global forums,” he said.
According to government spokesman Pen Bona, over the past five months, the Manet-led government has recorded many achievements, increasing his popularity even more than expected.
“The seventh-mandate government has showcased more outstanding achievements than expected. He [Manet] may be young, but his work ethic is impressive. He is young, but mature. Although not much time has passed, we expect his leadership journey to be long. These just some of the qualities of the CPP government,”
he said in a February 3 social media post.
Bona added that former Prime Minister Hun Sen also spoke highly of Manet’s leadership, noting that the young leader has accomplished more than he expected, both in terms of internal and diplomatic affairs. Among the highlights, Bona said, are Manet’s leadership strategies that support the people of Cambodia from all walks of life and his ability to maintain peace, political stability and sustainable socio-economic development.
Chey Tech, an independent socio-economic analyst, echoed Bona, noting that 80 per cent of the new government’s lawmakers are members of the young generation. He said that under the new mandate, the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy is being energetically implemented.
“The leadership of the new government, especially of Prime Minister Hun Manet, is excellent. Because they are well-educated and have a deep understanding of the issues, they have adapted themselves
to the situation and are coping well with the pressures of their work. They have also fostered excellent relations with friendly countries and superpowers,” he said.
Tech suggested, however, that the government cut staffing levels at some ministries and state institutions, saying the government must set a quota that suits practical work, without the need to recruit more officials.
“The government should also increase investment in high-quality infrastructure and irrigation systems. In addition, I think they should strengthen several laws to deal with issues like road accidents, drugs, alcohol, morals and social order,” he said.
Ro Vannak, co-founder of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, suggested that the government avoid politicising its popularity, as a good government must talk less but do more.
He noted that while the seventh-mandate government has introduced many policies that are intended to mobilise human resources, they have not yet been fully implemented. The public, he said, are waiting to see the outcome before passing judgment.
“Any effective leadership should be judged by its efficiency … The appointment of too many political officials will not enable the government to make faster progress as desired,” he said, likening this to an old saying about too many cooks spoiling the broth.
He suggested that the government build stronger state institutions by recruiting capable and virtuous human resources, while avoiding partisanship or nepotism. It should also improve the rule of law and good governance, so it retains the support of the people and will be able to govern for a long time.