HUN SEN’S SON APPOINTED DEPUTY PM
Promotion of youngest brother of PM Hun Manet aims to ‘boost efficiency in govt policy’
CAMBODIA’S Parliament yesterday approved former prime minister Hun Sen’s youngest son, Hun Many, as deputy prime minister, the latest member of the family to be promoted since the ex-leader handed the reins to his eldest son, Hun Manet.
Hun Sen stepped down in August after nearly four decades of ruling Cambodia with an iron fist, handing power to Hun Manet following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties.
The government, formed by Hun Manet last year, now includes a number of relatives, with several children of Hun Sen’s allies also holding top jobs.
All 120 lawmakers, including Hun Sen, endorsed 41-year-old Civil Service Minister Hun Many as deputy PM yesterday at the request of Hun Manet. There are 10 other deputy PMs.
Hun Manet told lawmakers the promotion of his youngest brother was in line with the need to achieve the “highest efficiency of the government’s policy”, with his goal to turn Cambodia into a high-income country by 2050. Among the 10 other deputy PMs is Hun Sen’s nephew, Neth Savoeun, a former national police chief.
Hun Sen’s second son, Hun Manith, 42, is head of the Defence Ministry’s military intelligence unit and a deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army.
After coming to power in 1985, Hun Sen helped modernise a country devastated by civil war and genocide.
Critics said his rule was also marked by environmental destruction, entrenched graft and the elimination of political rivals.
Hun Sen is set to become the president of the Senate following a senators’ election on Sunday.
In Bangkok, Thailand’s influential former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was released this week from detention, was visited yesterday by Hun Sen, one of the tycoon’s closest allies during his 15 years of self-imposed exile.
Hun Sen provided the billionaire with sanctuary during his exile, naming him a special adviser and allowing him to visit frequently and meet allies in Cambodia, frustrating Thaksin’s rivals, who saw it as interference by a neighbouring country.
The activities of Thaksin are being closely watched amid expectation he will exert influence on a government led by his family and allies, as he did while in selfimposed exile to avoid jail after being toppled in a coup. Thaksin was freed on parole on Sunday due to his age and health, with the 74-year-old since seen wearing a neck brace, padded sling and using a wheelchair.
A senior official who met him said he was “truly ill”.
“Two former prime ministers met and didn’t talk about politics,” Hun Sen posted on Facebook, with an image of him sitting on a sofa next to Thaksin.
The full extent of Thaksin’s health issues have not been disclosed and critics have questioned whether he is really ill.
He made a dramatic return to Thailand in August the same day loyalist Srettha Thavisin was named Thailand’s prime minister and Hun Sen ceding power in Cambodia.
Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison for conflicts of interest and abuse of power, but was transferred to hospital on his first night in jail with chest pains.
His sentence was commuted to one year by the king and he was parolled after six months.
Analysts said Hun Sen’s visit demonstrated their deep personal connection, one that could strengthen their countries’ ties given their influence over their respective governments.