Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has urged Cambodians to remain vigilant, avoid falling into the enemy’s trap, and always put the nation’s interests first.
The appeal was made in a Facebook comment last night following calls to boycott Coca-Cola, after the company allegedly decided to terminate a promotional contract with popular Cambodian singer Vannda.
“First, we must determine whether the company truly ended its contract with Vannda because of his patriotism,” Samdech Techo Hun Sen wrote. “Second, although Coca-Cola is an American brand, it is also a Cambodian product because it is manufactured in Cambodia, providing jobs and income for Cambodian workers and generating tax revenue that supports our national economic growth.”
He warned that if the company were to withdraw from Cambodia, it would be Cambodians who suffer the most, while the enemy would benefit. He recalled that the enemy had previously sought to undermine Cambodia’s economy by threatening to cut electricity, internet, and gasoline supplies, but Cambodia had acted first to protect itself from such threats.
“I would not object if Coca-Cola were produced in Thailand—you could stop consuming it. But if it is produced in Cambodia, then boycotting it would mean losing both jobs and income, directly and indirectly, for our people and state,” he stressed.
Beyond economics, Samdech Techo Hun Sen cautioned that the enemy is also attempting to push Cambodia into conflict with the United States, which would create further challenges in diplomacy, trade, investment, and economic relations.
“Please, do not fall into the enemy’s trap. Even with Thai companies investing in Cambodia, we must strive to keep them for the benefit of our people and nation,” he emphasised.
