Manet defends OCA pact
PRIME Minister Hun Manet on February 8 explained the agreement reached with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin regarding the Overlapping Claims Area (OCA), which had been stalled for 20 years, clarifying that the arrangement would not compromise maritime border integrity but aims to ensure energy security.
Manet said a statement from opposition politicians had been released about the deal, reached during his state visit to Thailand on
February 7, with some even accusing him of being a “traitor”.
He rebuffed the claims, emphasising the need to distinguish between territorial integrity and oil matters.
“On maritime borders, we must negotiate carefully, defending our national interests and territorial integrity. Thailand is doing the same. We must negotiate technical aspects, which will take a long time,” he said at the closing of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training’s annual meeting on February 8.
Regarding oil extraction, the premier stressed the importance for both Cambodia and Thailand to ensure energy security. He mentioned that the OCA contains oil and natural gas, and successful extraction would stabilise oil prices and energy, create numerous jobs and eventually boost the economy.
“For those accusing me of being a traitor over this joint project, think again. But my question is, ‘Does bringing benefits to the country and the people, and ensuring long-term energy security, make me a traitor?’” he asked rhetorically.
“We must clarify that economic benefits and a joint feasibility study will not impact territorial integrity and maritime border negotiations. [They] will continue through a technical group,” he said.
“I can categorically state that the Hun family has no intention of being traitors and will not act against national interests,” he emphasised, adding that border demarcation with neighbouring countries is crucial to prevent future conflicts.
Manet noted that elevating diplomatic ties to a “strategic partnership” with Thailand represents a historic
high point in relations between the two kingdoms. During his visit, he underscored that trade, business and the protection of Cambodian migrant workers are paramount.
He also responded to unnamed critics who questioned his motto of “attracting foreign investors”. Since taking office, he said he has encouraged investors to come to Cambodia but critics have mislabelled those businesses as Chinese.
“When companies from abroad, like the US and Europe, came to Cambodia in recent months, they were said to be Chinese firms. Labour minister Heng Sour has created more jobs, yet critics claim these include street beggars,” he said.
Referring to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), he noted the approval of 172 development projects, totalling $3.86 billion in capital, from August 2023 to January this year.
“These 172 projects are not just theoretical; they involve local and international investors from 10 countries. In January alone, 32 projects with nearly $200 million in capital were initiated, but critics labelled them as “tears of the people projects”. They claimed that where there are development projects, there are people’s tears,” he said.
Manet concluded by saying that these ventures, once completed, would create approximately 190,000 jobs for citizens.