Hun Manet vows to bring prosperity to Cambodia

New Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet pledged to lead the country toward prosperity, after receiving a vote of confidence at the National Assembly on Tuesday.

In his first speech as prime minister, Hun Manet said the government is "relentlessly and energetically committed to fulfilling this historic mission of accelerating development and pushing for deeper and broader reforms".

Hun Manet's role for the 2023-28 term was unanimously approved by 123 lawmakers in a vote of confidence at the National Assembly, Cambodia's state media Agence Kampuchea Presse reported.

In the July 23 general election, Hun Manet's Cambodian People's Party, or CPP, took 120 of 125 seats in the National Assembly in a landslide victory.

Hun Manet said the election result reflects the strong will and support of Cambodians to see the country being led toward progress and prosperity through the path of peace, development and reform in all sectors.

The government will work to ensure protection of peace, stability, security and safety, he said, while vowing to improve people's livelihoods and focus on development.

He said the new government will give attention to six priority policy programs that will be launched immediately. These include expanding healthcare services, providing vocational and technical training for youth, and institutionalizing the national social assistance program.

Hun Manet, 45, succeeded his 71-year-old father Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who stepped down after having held the position for more than 38 years, Xinhua reported.

"It is the right time for me to leave and for the successor to take office," said Hun Sen at a news conference in the National Assembly.

Hun Sen will continue to serve as president of the ruling CPP. He was appointed president of the Supreme Privy Council to the King on Tuesday and is also expected to be Senate president next year.

Expressing hope

Hun Sen expressed hope that the new government will continue to maintain peace and political stability, and that Cambodia will successfully graduate from the least developed country status.

The National Assembly also approved Hun Manet's new cabinet members for a five-year term. The members include 10 deputy prime ministers and 11 senior ministers.

Khuon Sudary, 70, was elected as president of the National Assembly, becoming the first woman to hold the top post.

In his address to the National Assembly on Monday, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said he believes the new government will fulfill its obligations to continue to promote economic growth, improve people's livelihoods and strengthen the social security system.

Lim Heng, vice-president of the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce, told the Khmer Times that he believes the new government will further boost economic growth through the implementation of existing free trade agreements in a more effective way while creating new ones.

kelly@chinadailyapac.com