PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has responded to some criticism that the Royal Government is corrupt and embezzling money from foreign aid, especially Japanese aid provided to Cambodia to build infrastructure and contribute to social development.

Speaking at the celebration of the 10 + 1 Year Anniversary of Japanese company Minebea’s operations in Cambodia on Thursday, 1 December 2022, Prime Minister Hun Sen said, “Some people said that we embezzle money from foreign aid, but go ask the Ambassador of Japan how much National Road No. 5 cost because I don’t know. How many bridges did Japan build? I just go to the opening ceremony and put it into use, I do not know how much it costs."

In this regard, the Prime Minister asserted that Japan is a country that puts meticulous consideration when providing assistance to Cambodia.

"A former Japanese foreign minister in the 1990s said he hated people who do not know how Japan spends money," he said.