PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned an anti-government activist living abroad named Sorn Dara that he has had enough, after finding out that the activist had used abusive language against his parents.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony for students of the Royal University of Phnom Penh on Friday morning, 24 February 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen called out anti-government activist, Sorn Dara, and told him to not use insulting language against his parents.
“You (Sorn Dara) attack your parents and siblings, but what about others?" asked the Prime Minister. "One thing, you have to remember, I will explain it to you. You say that you love people, you love your friends, you love the people. But there is this question: ‘If you do not love your parents, how could you love the people?’ You have to remember that politics is not easy.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks came after a local tv channel broadcasted an interview with Sorn Dara's parents, where they alleged that their son despises them for their "incompetence."
During the same speech, Prime Minister Hun Sen also responded to claims made by an opposition group that the Prime Minister would beat and push his mother until she fell. He said that this was an outrageous and false claim that should not be believed.
"How can they say such things? I am a loyal son who has earned the respect of the people, and they dare to make such claims like this. I took good care of my mother, and my father," he said.
The Prime Minister’s mother, Di Pok, died on 20 March 1998.
Prime Minister Hun Sen further instructed Sorn Dara to return respect to his parents.
Sorn Dara is a 44-year-old Professor of Philosophy and anti-government activist who fled abroad and continues to make videos attacking the Royal Government of Cambodia, Prime Minister Hun Sen and Lt. Gen. Hun Manet. He also has a father who works as a military officer in Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said that people like Sorn Dara often have a lot of pride in their intellect, but he questioned whether Sorn Dara and other opposition groups actually do have the knowledge to defeat him, because they have never been able to win until now.
"You accuse me of being stupid, but in the end, you lose to the [person you call] ignorant, it is very bad!" said the Prime Minister. "If I am considered a smart person, then it seems a bit appropriate, but you say I am stupid, so if you are very smart, then how come you can’t beat me?”
