PM thanks people for exhibiting Khmer unity and pride during KNY

Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the Khmer New Year (KNY) was celebrated with pomp and gaiety this year, and that the four-day event exhibited Khmer unity and pride.

Cambodians across the country celebrated the four-day-long national New Year celebrations that concluded yesterday peacefully.

In a congratulatory message sent yesterday, Mr Hun Manet said, “The most important factor is that the prevailing peace in the country provides an opportunity for all Cambodians to live together in the beloved land of Angkor with love and peace, honour and dignity, forever.”

The Prime Minister, in his message, also thanked the ministries, institutions and local authorities at all levels for their cooperation in organising the events, ensuring safety, creating the right conditions for making the national celebrations throughout the country a joyful experience for tens of thousands of merrymakers.

The Prime Minister also thanked the citizens and foreign guests who participated in the celebrations to help preserve the cultural traditions of Cambodia.

Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and President of the Senate, also sent a congratulatory message on the occasion of the KNY.

He said, “Cambodia is completely peaceful to have these events. Moreover, not only the Cambodian people, large numbers of foreign visitors also joined with full confidence in the celebrations.

There was no fear at all.”

The traditional festivities held across the country have attracted a lot of people, especially young people and foreign tourists. Some provincial and city authorities set up water trucks to increase the enjoyment of festival goers, bringing a pleasant atmosphere when the hot April weather reached 40 degrees Celsius.

Besides, Sankranta, an exhibition of traditional Khmer culture and works, was held in Phnom Penh and some other parts of the country, as part of the KNY celebrations.

Touch Sokhak, spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, confirmed that there was security and order during the KNY, and the national event was well-managed and there were no problems, due to the sense of responsibility of the joint police force that was deployed to implement protection plans to ensure security and order to the people.

He added, “Even though people crowded the streets throwing powder and spraying water, their activities took place with morality, tolerance and solidarity with a good spirit. No untoward incidents like quarrelling was reported on the streets or places where the New Year celebrations were held.”

He added, “This is a good sign that people, especially the young Cambodians, know how to participate in large-scale events and understand the social norms to maintain law and order in the society.”