PHNOM PENH: After Prime Minister Hun announced on Thursday that he is fully backing his son Hun Manet to become the next Prime Minister, Cambodian leaders have expressed their full support. On Thursday, Hun Manet’s name became the centre of the news worldwide after his father’s announcement. But the question is ---- who is Hun Manet?
Hun Manet is the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen and wife Bun Rany Hun Sen. The couple has five children, one died. Hun Manet was born on October 20, 1977 in Memot District, Kampong Cham Province. He studied at Komary Primary and Secondary School, now Chaktomuk Primary and Secondary School from 1980-1990 and continued his education at Phnom Daun Penh High School now being called Preah Sisowath High School from 1990-1993.
Hun Manet always excelled in mathematics. He ranked 1st in mathematics challenged throughout the country.
In the book "Bon Rany, the wife of the strong man of Cambodia", the wife of Prime minister Hun Sen, Mrs. Bun Rany Hun Sen, said that her children have to travel on their own to go to school like the other ordinary children. It also states that the Prime Minister always educates his children about morality and virtue. Every time they receive a book on the relationship between the school and the family, the father always checks and comments to the teacher, asking for help to teach morality and good character to his children.
After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the military in 1995. He also attended the Military Academy in West Point, USA, and received his degree on May 29, 1999. Hun Manet was the first Cambodian to study and receives a degree from this university. In addition to his military science skills, Hun Manet also holds a PhD and become the doctor in Economics from the University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
At present, Hun Manet has a rank of 3-Star Lieutenant General as the Deputy Commander-in-Chief and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces. He is married to Pech Chanmony and has two children.
Prime Minister Hun Sen’s announcement to support Hun Manet's candidacy for the next Prime Minister has surprised the world while a series of supporting messages appear from the Prime Minister’s decision.
