STUNG TRENG: The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet, has said that he has never used his influence to help someone running a business gain benefits, adding that he knows even less about taking power for business. He made this statement while speaking at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Headquarters of Brigade No. 128, 1st Military Zone, in Stung Treng Province on Thursday, 18 August.

"People who want to run a business never come to see Manet. Because they meet me and they try, but they never get [anything out of it]," he said. "They say that this person does not know how to do business, do not go and talk to him. I also studied economics, but when it comes to business, I can’t do it.”

Despite having a doctorate in economics from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, Lt. Gen. Hun Manet stated that while he is able to formulate national economic policies to promote national growth, he admits that does not know how to take power through business, and has never used his influence to help someone run a business.

He said, “Ask people who know Manet. Does Manet know how to run a business or not? But if someone wants help to get land for the army, ask for land for veterans, or ask them to help build houses for veterans, Hun Manet can do that and much more! Let this be clear!”

Forty-four-year-old Hun Manet is the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen. He was the first Cambodian national to graduate from West Point Military Academy in the United States and also has a Doctor of Economics from the University of Bristol. At present, he is a 3-Star Lieutenant General, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army.