(Video) Selected Comments of Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet. at the closing session of the 2020-2025 stock-taking conference under the theme “the Journey to Digital Transformation” and the setting of further directives of the MPTC [Unofficial Translation]

CMF: 06/02/2025

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(1) Development of telecommunications and information technology – a vision of former Prime Minister Hun Sen since 2000

In this room, for instance, there are very few people or none who do not have a smartphone […] or no profile for communication on social media applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook, Tiktok […] this clearly indicates that digital technology has become a part of our lives […] the world has changed from relying on computers to on mobile devices, which is the digital system itself […] the progress (of this sector) in Cambodia has been made possible thanks to the facts that firstly, people have been able to afford to buy smartphones and phone cards; and secondly, the extensive service coverage […]

As for digital progress in Cambodia, it all began with the establishment of NIDA (National Information Communications Technology Development Authority) in 2000 under the Council of Ministers, thank to the vision of the former Prime Ministere – Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen – and the preparation by Samdech Vibolpanha Sok An […] in 2013, according to the digital sector development master plan, we have integrated NIDA under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC), and have successively launched strategies, especially in the third phase of the Rectangular Strategy 2013-2018, which emphasized the necessity of developing e-government and encouraging the private sector to participate in infrastructure investment […]

(2) Developing 5G to improve communication efficiency

While using 4G, we are developing 5G technology to improve communication efficiency […] (the development of the digital sector) has provided economic and commercial benefits to citizens. It not only helps companies and governments at works, but also citizens in doing business online […] public services and the FMIS (Financial Management Information System) that the Ministry of Economy and Finance has prepared and used have improved management efficiency and accelerated the resolution of various problems […] and as you know, the 7th legislative mandate government implemented the first phase of the Pentagonal Strategy, continuing from the Rectangle Strategy, by adding the fifth angle, technology, which shows that the government has identified it as a priority sector for the present and in the future. We must have a vision, ensure our ability to stay ahead, and prepare for the next 20 years […]

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(3) Cambodian developed Apps adopted by other countries

Let us congratulate and appreciate the Cambodian expertise ability to develop apps such as verify.com.kh, a program for translating spoken language into braille, some of which have been adopted by other countries. This is our national pride […] without the service infrastructure system and policy that was put in place 20 years ago, as well as the work of the main staff of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and other concerned institutions and private sectors, we would have faced difficulties (in the context of COVID-19) where leadership was cut off because we were not able to meet […]

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(4) Improve service coverage for reliability of the internet and telephone systems

[In building digital connectivity infrastructure, telephone and internet services should be considered as essential as the electricity and clean water services […] and let us not worry about the health effects caused by mobile phone antenna stations … (unofficial extract from the speech)] – in efforts to arrange mobile antennas, all aspects must be considered, no different from arranging other infrastructure […] let us prepare master plans in advance, because once it is done, and there was a need to revise, it would be costly and a waste of time […] please pay special attention to towns with weak service coverage by working with the company to increase the reliability of the internet and telephone systems […]

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(5) Ensure integration of data and digital systems for efficiency and consistency

[In line with data governance, government enterprise architecture, interoperability, data encryption and data storage by ministries and institutions, the ministry should accelerate the construction of a national data center … (unofficial extract from the speech)] – as a direction for the future, we are going to (1) organize and manage data in the country; and (2) working on improving security, sharing and connectivity […] even with data centers, there could also be problems […] – in this sense, each ministry can acquire technologies elsewhere to develop (data storage). It is not necessary to take software only from the MPTC. Some skills can also be brought in from outside, but there must be […] firstly, security standards; and secondly, consistency, so that the data can be communicated ad retrieved in the future […] in the entire government system, including the MPTC or the Digital Commission, there must be a body that acts as the secretariat […] I am calling on ministries and institutions to work together, cooperate with ministerial or inter-ministerial mechanisms to ensure the integration of data systems and digital systems, for efficiency and consistency […]

(6) Moving into implementing stage only when we can protect data

I support the trial launch of the Digi SuperApp platform in March, but remember that we also have CamDX. We take it as a basis. The government should have one platform as an umbrella. So, let’s check it together, so that there will not be two in the future […] we announced CamDX as an inter-ministerial platform. All the latest apps must be consistent and complementary […] in the field concerning technology and data, we should move slowly and clearly for the sake of safety and efficiency […] concerned ministries and institutions related to national data, such as the interior, defense, economy and finance, not only need to develop, but also need to protect (their data). Only until we are sure that we can clearly protect, then we will move into implementing stage […] many countries have had this problem. In some cases, they have their data hacked. Please pay attention to safety and integration in the development (of the technology sector) […]

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(7) Shutting down thousands of illegal and fraudulent websites in combating online scams

(Regarding the campaign to combat online scams,) we have blocked and closed more than 18,000 illegal websites related to illegal gambling, scams and other things […] people use (online technology) to do business. The good guys do business (with it), and the bad guys take advantage of it […] the modernization of digital systems has also brought some problems, such as fake news. It is the case everywhere in the world. In a little while, AI and Deepfake (technology) will be more difficult (for us to distinguish what is real from what is fake) […] there is this clip that we saw the statue of the Preah Thaong and Neang Neak (which are weighing) several tons walking off to the sea […] this has prompted us to think of what to do at present and prepare for the future […] last year, if I may recall, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications organized an ASEAN meeting on AI, cyber security and fake news for this matter[…]

(8) The Prime Minister is not aware of any ministerial changes

Fake news is not only on the internet, but also in the form of rumors […] (there has been recently this rumor like) how many more ministerial changes there are going to be. It has been whispered since the end of last year that “we will have 5 to 6 more ministerial changes” […] let me publicly declare that “the Prime Minister does not know (anything about any reshufflings)” […] it is indeed the right and responsibility of the Prime Minister to appoint or change ministers or even members of the government, but in this case even the Prime Minister does not know about it, people have no reason to worry. As of now, I am not aware of who and which ministries need to be changed. Let us stop this rumor. All officials should concentrate on their works no matter who the minister would be […] please think only about fulfilling your duties to be an element or a cell to become part of the synergy to move the nation forward […] please do not worry about this work […] let me be concerned with it […] this is a sort of fake news, not on the internet, but at the coffee table […]

(9) Protect national tradition, custom and identity from inappropriate use of internet

In addition to fake news, we also see that there is the misuse of media that affects national values, culture, and religion. I thank the Ministry of Cults and Religion, the Ministry of Culture, Fine Arts, and the Ministry of the Interior for taking continuous measures dealing with this […] we recognize the beliefs of an individual or group of individuals but people should do not do anything illegal. It is your business, but please do not post them to harm our ancestors, our culture, and our religion. I know it is individual rights or human rights but they should have limits. When those rights affect the common rights of a nation, which include people, territory, language, religion, art, and culture, it is the right of that nation to protect […] no matter how much you are interested in having more likes or views, please do not harm the culture, ancestors, and the dignity of the Khmer nation. Please remember that no matter how the world develops, for thousands of years to come, Khmer will still be Khmer […] because we preserve our cultural values ​​and national identity. Let’s work together to protect our national tradition, custom and identity from being abused by inappropriate use of the internet […]

(10) Prime Minister leads national campaign to prevent online gambling and fraud

Let me thank the Ministry of Interior, His Excellency Dr. Sar Sokha, the Commissioner-General of the National Police, His Excellency Sar Thet, the provincial/municipal administrations, the Ministry of Justice, as well as the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications and related ministries for their joint efforts to implement, prevent and combat online gambling and fraud crimes that affect social security and the image of the national society […] in this new mandate, the Royal Government has prepared a mechanism to upgrade the inter-ministerial mechanism with the national level led by the Prime Minister, including Deputy Prime Ministers Neth Savoeun, His Excellency Sar Sokha, His Excellency Tea Seiha, His Excellency Prak Sokhonn, His Excellency Keut Rith and relevant ministries, specialized institutions, and committees for a task, including the police force, the military police force, and the army force, to combat these crimes […]

We also have a central intervention force for some targets, in addition to the police and the military police. They say that using the army is illegal. That is not true. The army supports the justice police officers in security, public order, and public order operations. It is not illegal. As law enforcement officers, they become part of a synergy in this work […] in this new year, we are pushing for two tasks […] firstly, cooperate with the Ministry of Land and Urban Planning to continue to promote land surveying, finalizing the issuance of certificates, resolving disputes, land concession work for veterans […] as well as implementing the mechanism of “providing forest protection land”; and secondly, a mechanism to prevent and combat online scams to increase the positive effects for citizens and reduce the negative effects on national society […]./.