15/7/2010 By Kok Sap
On 14/7/2010 the news said Mr. Im Sethy, the Education Minister, issued order to ban the general knowledge textbooks authored by Pen Puthsphea because they contain “unsuitable” materials deemed critical to Hun Sen, the government leader, such as, “In the near future, will Cambodia be able to develop? Why?” and, “What do you think of the practice of human rights and freedom in Cambodian society?”
The answer to the first question reads: “The government which is currently led by Prime Minister Hun Sen will not be able to lead Cambodia towards progress in the near future because corruption occurs from the top level of the government down to the local level, and law enforcement and the practice of human rights are still below zero.”
It appears the textbooks questions and answers seem inadequately constituting a false statement or threat to national security. More than likely they are in the frame of the constitutionality (see reference). The minister’s action clearly shows that Cambodia under Mr. Hun Sen personal cult influence soon it will have a full blown authoritarian regime. It’s a sure thing to happen as soon as Heng Samrin or Chea Sim and Sihanouk are out of the picture.
So does it deem appropriate for citizens to speak truth about the government inability or flaws? According to the Constitution (see reference) people can criticize or denounce or file complaint against their government.
In the developed countries, it is the understanding that criticism comes with the public service job and elected offices. Hun Sen has been appointed in 1985 then after 1993 before got elected by the voters to the same job for the last 12 years. However that does not mean he is effective in leading. According to old Kung Fu Tzu says,” a leader must himself be correct. If he shows correctness, who will dare not to be correct?” In other word it takes one to be one.
The argument could also be thrown in why does he not stop the corruption all these years? The people know the government at all levels are corrupted; therefore, the author’s views are reflective the truth in the current government conducts.
Since 1993, billions of dollars in donations poured in Cambodia government coffer to reduce poverty, maintain and rehabilitate the nation necessities. But the majority of people still barely survive on less than $0.50 a day standard. Also the prevalence of authoritarianism and corruption in government is too profane that spared no criticism from the UN Human Rights Council, the World Bank and International Monetary Funds. They all agree Cambodia government lacks good will to ensure good governance, transparency and accountability.
As far as the textbook materials concerned, probably Mr.Hun Sen would agree no less that he, himself, hears threats and critics from donors at each annual consultative conference. Also the author raised the questions which may have nothing to do with Mr. Hun Sen in personal but they are more in tunes with his triangular and rectangular policy deficiencies and oversights. As usual in old saying,” Is there no smoke unless must there be no fire” as otherwise the donors would not insist on Cambodia to hurry in passing the anti-corruption and land laws.
The author said his books have been in the market since 2006 but why now the education minister wants them pulled from the student interests. Undoubtedly there must be a brownie point for Mr. Im Sethy to score and please Mr. Hun Sen. His action is an infringement of the constitutional relevance.
Not long ago Mr.Khieu Kannharith, himself, was accused of violating the international copy rights protection that landed him in legal battle with the original novel ’Shogun’ publisher. But Cambodia government said nothing to that. In effect Mr.Khieu Kanharith isn’t so clean and ideal leader to preach laws. Herewith the author shall challenge both co-conspirators, Mr. Im Sethy and Khieu Kanharith, for violation of the constitutionality in the court of laws.
Laterally Mr. Im Sethy should acknowledge and be more diligent in straightening out his subordinates as government employed educators or instructors to stop extorting money and bribery from students. It is plain wrong and corruptive. In such regard he should support and encourage the young students to take part and assist the regime to fight corruption.
This is to say that Mr. Hun Sen aware of his own inability to progress the country without more donations. Also he must know it takes more than he to eradicate corruption in Cambodia. In the best interest of the nation,Mr. Hun Sen and his government shall embrace the democratic growth of free expression and praise the courageous ones who exercise their rights to educate Cambodia future generations to do the right thing for the country sake.
Reference:
The 1993 Constitution- Article 39 says,” Khmer citizens shall have the right to denounce, make complaints or file claims against any breach of the law by State and social organs or by members of such organs committed during the course of their duties. The settlement of complaints and claims shall reside under the competence of the courts.”
Article 41 also says,” Khmer citizens shall have freedom of expression, press, publication and assembly. No one shall exercise this right to infringe upon the rights of others, to affect the good traditions of the society, to violate public law and order and national security. The regime of the media shall be determined by law.”
Article 65 says, “The State shall protect and upgrade citizens’ rights to quality education at all levels and shall take necessary steps for equality education to reach all citizens. The State shall respect physical education and sports for the welfare of all Khmer citizens.”
