Meeting The King And Will Not Continue His Position, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen Hands Over Power To His Son Next Month

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. (Wikimedia Commons/Kremlin.ru/men's

JAKARTA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, 70, said he would step down and hand over power to his son next month, ending a nearly four-decade government in which he builds stability after years of war.

Being one of the longest-serving ruling leaders in the world, Prime Minister Hun Sen made the announcement days after the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) he led won 120 of the 125 parliamentary seats, in a general election where all serious opponents were eliminated.

"I met with the king, and stated I would no longer continue my position as prime minister," Hun Sen said in a speech broadcast nationwide.

"I have to sacrifice and give up power," he continued.

PM Hun Sen further said his son, Hun Manet, would get royal approval as prime minister on August 10 and be sworn in on August 22.

"Hun Manet... will become prime minister in the coming weeks," he said.

Hun Sen said it was time to give way to a younger generation of leaders.

"It is very necessary to have a new cabinet consisting mostly of young people... they are responsible for the future," he explained.

"Long-term peace and development will continue under my son," said Hun Sen.

he will not disappear until retirement. He said he would remain the chairman of the ruling party and a member of the National Assembly.

Previously he said he would return to the prime minister's position if his son did not work well.

Meanwhile, opposition groups of politicians, largely self-isolating, and human rights groups say Hun Sen has for years oppressed democratic institutions, while party colleagues and relatives benefit from various business concessions.

The government has rejected allegations of corruption in its ranks that have been leveled over the years by opposition politicians, rights groups and environmental activists.

"It is very concerning that Cambodia continues to experience a shrinking democratic space in recent years, undermine fundamental freedom and the right to participate in public affairs," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker T\"urk said in a statement on Wednesday.

Even so, PM Hun Sen also contributed to building peace and lifting Cambodia to middle income status, improving health, education, and infrastructure for 38 years in power.

Meanwhile, West-ed Hun Manet, who is the deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces, did little to talk about his vision for the country. He won seats in the capital, Phnom Penh, in Sunday's election.

"The new parliament will convene on August 21 and the new prime minister and cabinet will be sworn in on August 22," said Hun Sen.

Critics denounce Sunday's election as fake, after the government disqualified the only opposition party for technical issues and threatened to punish anyone calling for a boycott.