Khmer Abroad

"Khmer Abroad"

In this context is referred to people of Cambodia who are currently residing abroad whether they left Cambodia before or after the civil war during the 70's, or during the Lon Nol era, or during the Khmer Rouge era, or the aftermatch when Khmer Rouge were driven out from the power and country, or currently moving abroad under family, whether or not they are citizen or are legal permanent resident of those respective countries in the North American continent, EU or Oceanic Etc.. who are the supporters of minority political party.

It is good thing that "Khmer Abroad" have shown interests in the internal affairs of country once they lived. Some has been a long time observers for self-knowledge purposes, some has been the strong supporters of particular political party, some has chosen to go back and participate in politic with political party of theirs choice orhas embarked on a business venture and some is simply curious to know what the future would be installed for the beloved motherland.

The "Liberal Democrat"

The numbers of "Khmer Abroad", in those continents mentioned earlier on, are far much smaller than the actual numbers of youth population in Cambodia, and there is small amount of them/a minority group, in my personal point of view, who are called themselves the "Liberal Democrat".

They are voicing their concerns on almost aspects and every single issue of the beloved motherland, are continously criticizing and attacking the current administration under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen in favor of the party[s] they are ideologically and financially supporting.

It is nothing wrong being a "Liberal Democrat" or being the supporters of this or that particular party because each individual of us is not the same in any way, is having diferrent taste, is having different point of view and vision about the internal affairs of the beloved motherland, however, being "Khmer Abroad", from logic point of view, no matter where we are residing now or are holding a citizenship of a foreign country, in our mind and soul, we are remained Khmer however, we are no longer a legal citizen of Cambodia, from a technical point of view; is due to the restriction[s] on holding dual citizenship imposed by respective country we are currrently residing.

"Khmer Abroad" Prospective

"Khmer Abroad" prospective on the internal affairs of the beloved motherland are likely emerged by the political party's ideology rather than the facts and truths.

One shall remember that "None of us is perfect in every each way". We all human being and in the matter of fact being a "Human Being", we could not avoid making any mistake[s] at some point in life. It is a matter of the kind of mistake, the level of mistake, or is it a repeatedly one. That is applied to everyone of us whether the person is a politician, an administration, a government or an opposition in Cambodia or around the world.

What we should do is to learn from the past mistake[s] and find a way round for an appropriate and applicable solution[s] to which would benefit rather than harm us and ensure that we shall not to let the past mistake/history to repeat itself.

Let get back to the issue of "Khmer Abroad".

My personal point of view and at personal level, we as the "Khmer Abroad", who are currently residing in USA, Canada, France, Australia, Austria, New Zealand who are supporters of party[s], in aprticular the Sam Rainsy Party/Main Opposition Party tends to discount the facts and truths about the progresses of internal affairs of our beloved motherland, the plights and wills of our compatriates inside the country.

The late 70's to early 90's, Cambodia was seen as an isolated state and much parts of the country were at war between the State of Cambodia and the warring coalition party along the Cambodia-Thai border. However, since the conclusion of Paris Treaty, Cambodia was opned its door to the outside world once again in the spirit of National Reconcilliation and reconstruction of the country after 23 years [1970 - 1993] at war and unrest.

1993 Un sponsored election was seen as the birth of Democracy in Cambodia and Kingdom of Cambodia was reborn for the 2nd time.

Cambodia since then became a Constitutional Monarchy, where King is the Head of State and whist the actual day to day affairs of the state is under the Prime Minister.

Our National Assembly is "Democrat Multi Political Party", representing the entire population of the Kingdom, which was impossible under the Lon Nol and the Khmer Rouge and during the State of Cambodia.

At this point and in this context, "Credits and Due Respects" shall be recognized and given to the administration and leaders of the regime for their willingnessly, good wills and painstaking decision to accept and allow theirs once ennemy - the Khmer Rouge to return and participate in the 1st ever general election.

The Facts - Freedom of Movement, Expression and Press

Since 1993, people of Cambodia has been enjoyed the freedom of movement, expression and press ever if it is not the same level as other countries around the world where democracy is mature but to an acceptable level recognized by the world community; considering that Cambodia had 3 general election under its belt.

Cambodia nowadays has had an explosive amount of International and Local NGO inside the country than ever before, multi langual Pro-government and Opposition medias, Union Organizations just to name a few, who are cretics of the government, leadership and ministers.

According to the survey relasing by the International Republican Institute [was once a stauncy critic of RGC regarding corruption, Human Rights abuses] shown that +70% of people of Cambodia are happy and believed that Cambodia is heading in the right direction.

The Truths

There is always room for improvement.

Investments

Any direct foreign investment is subject and comes down to what the country could offer in term of return to on the investment, rules and regulations on investment, country's infrastructures, manpower and skilled workers for particular industry, but most important of all are political stability and governance.

From the investors prospective, it is about dollar and cent.

From the Government prospective, they are having much more and big chunk of issues on their plate to juggle and balance, and it is no an easy task at all.

Conclusion

Being a "Khmer Abroad" myself, I would suggest to all my compatriate abroad to be more sensible, realistic, apply appropriate common sense and please take into consideration and recognize due respects based on the facts and truths rather following self-emotion, unrealistic political party's ideology.

My points of view in this context are based on my long life experiences as a young boy during the Sangkum Reastr Niyum, a victim of the civil war during Lon Nol, a survivor of the Khmer Rouge, a brief resident during the State of Cambodia, refugee, a long time observer for self-knowledge and by no mean to support or oppose any political party.

My principle towards our beloved motherland internal affairs isvery simple "To recognize the facts and truths rather than follow one political party's ideology, the wills and respects of my compatriate inside the country", and hope that all political parties could work side by side, hand and hand with each other for the best interest of Cambodia and its people.