Phnom penh: 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.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasized the importance of verifying whether the company truly ended its contract with Vannda because of his patriotism. He highlighted that while 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 the 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.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen stated that he would not object if Coca-Cola were produced in Thailand, as boycotting it would not affect Cambodia. However, since it is produced in Cambodia, boycotting it would result in the loss of jobs and income, directly and indirectly, for the people and the state.
Beyond economics, he 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. He urged the public not to fall into the enemy's trap and emphasized the importance of retaining investments, even from Thai companies, for the benefit of the Cambodian people and nation.