PHNOM PENH: Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and Commander of the Army, General Hun Manet, told the authorities that if they see someone using his name and photo to commit a crime, they don’t need his permission to arrest that person.

Gen. Hun Manet attended two ceremonies on Sunday, 26 March 2023-a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the completion of two 32-kilometer concrete roads and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to inaugurate the reopening of Wat Baray in the Tbong Khmum province. During one of his speeches, he mentioned that thousands of people have taken photos with him, and that one person claiming to be his assistant used such photos to oppress the people of Sihanoukville.

He went on to express his commitment to holding those accountable who commit crimes using his likeness, emphasizing, “Arrest them. No need to ask, even if it’s my assistant who works with me every day; if they make a mistake, arrest them.” He added, "If I find out [my likeness is being used to commit a crime], I will sue; even if the authorities withdraw the complaint, I will still file a complaint."

Gen. Hun Manet, future candidate for Prime Minister of Cambodia, has received the love and respect of many during his attendance at numerous ceremonies. Men and women, young and old, have taken photos with him as souvenirs-some even expressing their love with a kiss.