PM Hun Manet Says Defence Budget Rise Will Not Cut Health or Education

PHNOM PENH, June 3, 2026 (KPT) — Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Manet has rejected claims that a planned increase in defence spending for 2027 would come at the expense of health and education, insisting social sectors will continue to see rising allocations.

Speaking on Wednesday, Samdech Techo Hun Manet said the government had no intention of diverting resources from education, healthcare or social affairs to finance higher military expenditure.

“We have no plan to take the budget from education, health or social affairs to increase the defence budget,” he said. “Allocations for those sectors will also rise, alongside defence.”

The premier stressed that Cambodia had sufficient resources to boost military spending during what he described as a crucial period, while continuing to expand investment in priority areas.

“We have enough budget to increase military spending during this moment, but it will not reduce funding for other sectors,” he said.

Samdech Techo criticised a report by Radio France Internationale suggesting defence growth could squeeze social budgets.

“That analysis does not make sense,” he said, noting that the figures cited were not final. The Ministry of Economy and Finance is still reviewing requests from ministries, with negotiations continuing until August.

He underlined that education, health and social affairs remained top priorities and would continue to receive significant attention and support.

“Budget allocations are still under discussion,” he said. “The figures being debated are not the final budget.”

Samdech Techo Hun Manet added that ministries could continue to submit requests for additional funding, stressing that the government’s overall strategy was to strengthen defence while expanding investment in human capital and social development.