PM Hun Manet Declares Unwavering Stance Against Online Scams

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has declared his full backing for law enforcement agencies in their ongoing crackdown on online scams, directing them to proceed without hesitation and without fear of offending anyone, for the sake of the entire nation. The Prime Minister's announcement came during his attendance at the official inauguration of 'Luang Mae Hospital,' a specialized cancer treatment facility, on the morning of September 16, 2026. This follows Cambodia's launch of a vigorous campaign to eliminate online scams within the country. Prime Minister Hun Manet stated, "Some areas require major surgery, which may be painful and cause bleeding, but if not done, it will affect the whole body. Scams may originate in one area, but they damage our nation's reputation, leading to a decline in tourism and affecting millions of innocent citizens." He addressed sentiments circulating on some social media platforms, suggesting that the crackdown on online scams has impacted the income of some citizens, as foreign criminals involved have been arrested and deported. Some individuals, he noted, wish for a return to the previous situation. "Some people say we are expelling all Chinese. No! We welcome Chinese investors who build factories here. But we will not allow factories that produce fraud. Currently, fraud is not just from abroad; I see a lot of fraud happening within the country," the Prime Minister added. Regarding fraud, he instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, and the Anti-Online Fraud Commission to collaborate to prevent fraud against Cambodian citizens through telephones and other technologies. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the crackdown on online scams has led to a loss of income for some Cambodian citizens who previously benefited from these activities, including building renters, car renters, and vendors. However, he urged them to transition to other professions and not rely on income derived from scams. While instructing law enforcement to continue the crackdown without letup, the Prime Minister clarified, "This work [the crackdown] will continue; there will be no retreat. Let me be clear: some say it will end in April, others in June. Some say it will end in June and resume in December. Others claim the government will soon allow it again, perhaps with online gambling licenses. No. Some are already guaranteeing it and arranging licenses. No. Cambodia does not need to depend on an economy from casinos or online scams; we must rely on other economic sectors where we have many strengths." He further elaborated, "Sometimes we cannot have both; we must choose one. And we must choose correctly, choosing what brings the greatest long-term benefit to our nation." The Prime Minister continued, "If government officials, ministers, provincial governors, district chiefs, commune chiefs, authorities, police chiefs, and PM commanders are afraid to enforce the law for fear of offending someone, they should resign! Are you not afraid of the sentiments of 17 million citizens? Are you only concerned with your own comfort? This is why in some places, we need to reform the leadership because they are not acting. It's not that they are complicit; it's that we need to install more active individuals." In relation to this matter, the Prime Minister mentioned that he had personally advised some officials multiple times. For those newly appointed to replace them, if they fail to perform, they will also be replaced. Some officials do not know how to work, while others require constant supervision. The Prime Minister emphasized, "There is a red line. Scams are a red line. For other issues, we will assess the scale of the problem. Some areas require surgical intervention, others require education and guidance, and we offer opportunities. No one is perfect. The key is the will to act. The will to act, even if not fully successful yet, is better than having no will to act. That is where the problem lies." He further stated, "If there is a loss of benefit or job due to taking responsibility for this matter, place the burden on me. I will accept it because I am the one giving the orders. I dare to accept it, but I ask that this responsibility is for the entire nation. We must sit together for the future of our country, for 17 million people today and 20 million tomorrow. We cannot live in a time when our country is attacked, repeatedly attacked, and condemned by the world." Information Source: CPP Cambodia