PURSAT: On Tuesday morning, 25 October, people in Pursat province expressed their dissatisfaction and condemnation of opposition leader, Sam Rainsy, who recently made comments insulting the King of Cambodia.
Many residents shared that they consider Sam Rainsy a political prisoner who has no followers.
"I cannot accept such insults. It's like insulting our parents! They try to raise us from a young age, but then he went and insulted them! How can we support (Sam Rainsy)?" said 67-year-old Nor Yoeun.
She further added, "[Supporting him would result in] Failure! It is like insulting our parents who raised us. So when someone makes an insult like this, no one would have the heart to [support Sam Rainsy] anymore. It is not possible.”
Another resident, 62-year-old Soy Chheun, said, "The Prime Minister said earlier that [Sam Rainsy] had attacked and insulted the King. [When he] insulted [the Prime Minister], he said he was not upset, but when it comes to insulting the King! I heard that and was upset myself. [..] If [Sam Rainsy] were to lead the country, maybe the King or Buddhism itself would be lost.”
He further added, "Our people vote in Cambodia, so our Cambodians all over the country support the King. If you still use rhetoric or policies like [Sam Rainsy], then [his influence] will just melt away. It is only lost, nothing will increase."
Pursat resident, Pich Sarim, said, “No, there is no need to insult! If he insults someone like that, that person is too rude. [..] [These kind of people] never last long. If he insults someone like that, he will usually be short-lived, so that person (Sam Rainsy) will not be very long-lived."
"People do not support [Sam Rainsy], apparently even the King has rejected him and he does not have respect, we cannot take that person seriously," said 67-year-old Kva Him.
On Monday, 24 October, the Minister Attached to the Prime Minister and Head of the Information and Quick Reaction Unit of the Office of the Council of Ministers, Svay Sitha, condemned the "third generation traitor" Sam Rainsy, for stating that "the King of Cambodia has no national conscience," and for accusing the King of signing a decree that cuts off foreign territory.
Svay Sitha said that he, as a Cambodian citizen, could not accept the repeated insults of these three generations of traitors, and such actions should not be tolerated.
Speaking at a meeting with more than 5,000 flood victims in Pursat province on Tuesday morning, the Prime Minister called on citizens to join the campaign against Sam Rainsy because the insult made to the King is unacceptable and must be condemned, which includes condemning any party that is affiliated with Sam Rainsy.
"Both monks and citizens, please stand up against the traitors and any party associated with this traitor to ensure the protection of the monarchy, the protection of the throne, the protection of the King, the unity of the peace of our territory," said Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Sam Rainsy’s comments have also been met with widespread condemnation from the Royal Government and all ministries and institutions.
