PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a message on July 26 apologizing for missing ten meetings with factory workers after the election as promised. He said that when the meetings resume, the workers will be meeting with a new Prime MInister, hinting at a transfer of power to his son, Gen. Hun Manet, but not confirming it.

The Prime Minister was on a tour of meetings with factory workers before he had to suspend the meetings for the election campaign season in accordance with Cambodian election law. He had promised to resume the meetings three days after the election, but explained that he was busy creating a new government following the election.

He confirmed that the meetings with workers, which often involve crowds of nearly 20,000, will resume after the formation of the new Royal Government, which is currently under the rule of the caretaker premier.

"We will meet after the formation of the new government that will have the highest potential [for success]. There will be a new Prime Minister to visit our workers instead of the old Prime Minister," he said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen confirmed that he will not be going anywhere, but he will explain further during the inauguration of the third Phnom Penh Bypass on August 3.

"I will explain at that time, but I needed to send a message now because according to plan, I was supposed to meet the workers on July 27, but it was delayed and postponed," he said.

The new government is scheduled to be sworn in on August 29, 2023.