But with greater than 70 percent of the population under 35, the federal government’s claim that the day was akin to a rebirth pales as compared.
“I think a lot of them, when it comes to Cambodia’s young generation, have almost forgotten what [January 7] is,” said Yong Heng, a student and founding father of the Asean Young Political Leaders Network.
Noan Sereiboth, a political blogger and member of the Politikoffee youth forum, said that for a lot of young people the meaning of the day is dependent upon their politics.
Cambodian activist Loung Ung shares how she survived the Khmer Rouge
Cambodian activist Loung Ung shares how she survived the Khmer Rouge
Some follow their parents in supporting the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). They talk in regards to the importance of Hun Sen – a former Khmer Rouge commander who defected – to making sure peace, stability and development in Cambodia, while others wish to give attention to the longer term, says Sereiboth.
Sam Rainsy, former leader of the disbanded opposition Cambodia National Salvation Party (CNRP), described January 7 as the start of an enemy occupation that installed a corrupt and oppressive puppet government, and said people were still suffering.
Hun Sen has shown a passionate desire to re-explain to the general public his role in Cambodia’s history
Many young people hoped for change through CNRP. The opposition party got here near winning the 2013 general election and made significant gains in local elections 4 years later. The party was then banned, and its leader Kem Sokha was arrested on what critics say were politically motivated charges.
The CPP currently controls all 125 seats within the National Assembly.
Although thousands and thousands of Cambodians supported the CNRP, there have been no signs of protests after post-election demonstrations in 2013 resulted in a bloody crackdown.
Astrid Noren-Nilsson, a senior lecturer at Sweden’s Lund University, said Hun Sen desired to present this chapter of Cambodia’s history to the subsequent generation.
“Since the emergence of more controversial policies in 2013, Hun Sen has demonstrated a passionate desire to re-explain to the public his role in Cambodia’s history,” she said. “Part of that is… establishing his historical legacy in a certain way for posterity. But… more importantly, to explain it to today’s electorate – and to establish new relationships with young people for whom January 7 was only a distant date in history.”
Hun Sen also desired to draw attention to the twentieth anniversary celebrations held last month to mark the autumn of the Khmer Rouge, which continued to manage small groups within the country until 1998. The official end of the civil war is something he touted as considered one of his probably the most wonderful events. achievements and tens of hundreds of individuals gathered for the inauguration of the $12 million “Win-Win Monument.” Young people were interested in the event due to pop stars’ performances after the ceremony.
Sam Rainsy, who lives in Paris to avoid prison on what his supporters say are fabricated charges, recurrently raises January 7 in an try to portray Hun Sen as a puppet of Vietnam, whom the opposition has tried guilty for Cambodia’s problems.
To mark the anniversary three years ago, Sam Rainsy posted a cartoon on his Facebook page showing a Vietnamese soldier setting fire to houses in Cambodia in 1975, only to return in 1979 and douse them with water. This was a transparent attempt guilty Vietnam for the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.
Cambodian strongman Hun Sen unveiled his statue
Cambodian strongman Hun Sen unveiled his statue
Anti-Vietnam rhetoric has long been popular within the country, where many distrust their eastern neighbor. This situation appears prone to proceed, as does rising anti-Chinese sentiment amid Beijing’s increased influence over the Cambodian government and an enormous increase in tourist numbers from China.
Political analyst Meas Nee said the ruling party and its rivals will likely proceed to spread their Jan. 7 narratives.
“When you look at the way politicians and political parties are currently trying to instill this ideology in the younger generation as well… I think politicians are still trying to dominate [the youth] quite a lot,” Nee said. “It will end in more divisions.”
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: Division still prevails many years after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge
