Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has reportedly spent over $1.5 million on Facebook ads since September 2022. This spending began following Hun Sen’s resignation and aims to promote Hun Manet’s public image. Concerns about the funding’s transparency and the ethical implications of the ads have surfaced, calling for clarity on government spending for political promotion.
Recent data indicates that Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia allocated over $1.5 million for advertising on Facebook from September 2022 to early 2023. This expenditure coincided with significant political changes, as Hun Manet succeeded his father, Hun Sen, following his resignation after 38 years of leadership and the recent general election held in July 2023.
Hun Sen, who now serves as the Senate president, has utilized Facebook extensively to engage with citizens and criticize political rivals. Notably, Meta Platforms Inc., which oversees Facebook, opted against suspending his accounts despite his threats toward opponents during the election campaign, a decision made prior to Hun Sen’s departure.
Hun Manet’s Facebook presence, titled “Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia,” focuses on showcasing his leadership roles and public appearances while amplifying his responses to critiques on social media. However, the expenditure has raised concerns among political commentators regarding transparency and ethical implications of such promotions.
Exiled commentator Kim Sok emphasized the need for clarity on the financial origins of these promotions, suggesting that if government funds or private donations support them, the public should be informed. He remarked that the content of these promotions often lacks substantive discussion of pressing government policies that could assist citizens or safeguard the nation.
In conclusion, the financial investments made by Prime Minister Hun Manet in social media advertisements have raised important questions regarding transparency and the motivations behind these promotions. As Cambodian citizens strive for accountability, it remains crucial that the sources of these funds, as well as the content of the promotions, prioritize public welfare over personal gains.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
