Cambodian Tragedy in Comparative Term

The Strongman shedding crocodile tears? (Photo: AP)

For the very first time that the entire world and the Cambodian public at large got to witness a Cambodian Prime Minister cried – something they’re rarely used to seeing on screen, given his past combative speeches and authoritarian style. I’ve got to give it to the man. He gave one of the finest theatrical shows I have ever seen - weeping and looking sad as best as he can be. But, NOT when he evicted Khmers from their lands; put Khmer farmers in jail; ordered his men to launch a couple grenades against political opposition march, lining up people to shoot as a result of his 1997 coup d’état. He was not crying when he sent capable men on K5 plan to be killed or limped. NO

Unfortunately when we are talking about our Cambodia, this is not the first tragedy or policy failure and it won’t be the last, either, that we are going to see from this government, going forward. There have been too many policy failures in the past and present leading up to the future. Time will tell if the true believers of the Hun’s regime, and possibly dynasty, will learn something meaningful at the end; for a nation built on shaky foundations where the culture of impunity, corruption and feudalistic behaviour are accepted as the norms at the expenses of the mass - the poor and the very least educated farmers. More land evictions are on the horizon, watch my word, people.

It is truly refreshing, yet not surprising to see Cambodian come out in large numbers to offer money and condolences to the victims and surviving families. In comparative analysis, it makes you wondered, what about other tragedies? Take land eviction as a prime example where entire villages are affected or the beating, killing of democratic activists, union leader, singers etc..? The story of Mr. Soung Sophorn is relatively fresh. Isn’t it a tragedy as well?. He was beaten up pretty badly and unprovoked at best – something could have been easily avoided. The Cambodian polices were better trained to hurt Khmers, protect Youn’s encroached farmer’s lands than to save real Cambodian lives. How sad!