Acting Head of State Hun Sen has lashed out at extremist critics who accused the government of neglecting border soldiers and displaced people while celebrating the Khmer New Year in earnest.
“Some extremists criticize the government for organizing the Sankranta event, accusing it of neglecting the difficulties faced by soldiers and displaced people. However, such views appear to aim at pushing the entire nation into a state of paralysis, halting socio-economic activities,” Mr Hun Sen said yesterday.
“I compare this idea to the saying: “an injured hand should not disable the body.”
“We acknowledge that there are still difficulties along the border with Thailand in some areas and at certain times. These challenges affect border forces and some displaced people, whom we have assisted so they can still have the opportunity to celebrate the New Year.”
“For the remaining 17 million people, should they be forced to grieve and halt their socio-economic activities—such as closing markets, shops, banks, factories, farms, and schools—to the point of preventing people from enjoying the New Year?” he asked.
The joyful celebrations of people in various places over the past few days to welcome the New Year are, according to Mr Hun Sen, like a slap in the face to those who oppose the festivities.
Phnom Penh ushered in the Khmer New Year at 10:48 a.m. on April 14, marking the start of the Year of the Horse with a grand ceremony at Wat Phnom.
The ceremony was held at the Wat Phnom.
The Nokor Sankranta celebration runs for six days, from April 14 to 19, organized jointly by the Phnom Penh Capital Administration and the UYFC as part of the capital’s Khmer New Year festivities.
