Three days after winning the elections, Hun Sen has officially stepped down as Cambodian Prime Minister and handed over the premiership to his son, Hun Manet, announcing he had to “sacrifice his power” for the sake of continued peace.

During a meeting with King Norodom Sihamoni this morning, Asia’s longest-running Prime Minister announced his resignation after 38 years in office. In a speech after the meeting, Hun Sen said it is time to hand over the reins to a new generation.

He added that other top ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sar Kheng, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Tea Banh, will also resign. However, Hun Sen confirmed he will continue to be President of the CPP and a Member of Parliament.

He said, “If I remain Prime Minister for one or two years and resign after one or two in office, there will be instability. Therefore, it is necessary that the new government has to be filled with new generations; young ministers. Me and other ministers aged over 70-years-old should be in the back of our sons in office. I have to sacrifice my power.”

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Prime Minister Hun Sen after a vote in Kandal province, July 23, 2023. Kiripost/Siv Channa

Hun Sen added that the move is to ensure continued peace and development throughout the nation. Noting that his son, Hun Manet, will take over the premiership in three weeks after King Sihamoni formally accepted this morning’s request.

“I used my head or life to fight against Pol Pot,” he said, “I bet my life for the political unity of Cambodia after the fall of the Pol Pot regime. I tried so hard for the development of Cambodia. Therefore, why do I rush to resign from being PM? It is done to ensure the long-term stability of Cambodia.”

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Hun Sen also pledged not to intervene with the work of the new government. “I will not interfere with the work of the new Prime Minister because there is a separation of power in Cambodia,” he said, adding, “I would like to announce that it is a huge sacrifice of mine, but it is done for the good of the citizens.”

Despite handing over the premiership, Hun Sen confirmed he will not turn his back on politics, pledging to “remain a politician and a top leader of Cambodia'' as CPP president. In addition, during the transition period, he will serve as president of the Supreme Council of Magistracy “overseeing the Palace and protecting the throne”.

He added that in March or April, he will replace Say Chhum as President of the Cambodian Senate. Chhum has said he will resign from the role. Sar Kheng, Tea Banh, and Men Sam An will be appointed as members of the royal committee, under Hun Sen.

Hun Sen also called on other ministers to step down and pave the way for the next generation of politicians. “I would like to request ministers to make the sacrifice. As an example, I am the one who made the biggest sacrifice. Please stay in the Senate as representatives instead of being ministers.”

Hun Sen confirmed that as of August 22, he should no longer be referred to as the Cambodian Prime Minister, with Hun Manet officially assuming the position. He said he holds the title of “longest-serving leader in the world”, having stepped into the role on January 14, 1985.

The CPP won Sunday’s elections after a record-breaking 84.58 percent of people nationwide cast their vote in elections that have received international criticism due to a lack of credible opposition parties.

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