Senate President Urges Officials to Serve Citizens, Not Act as Their Bosses

KAMPONG THOM, June 3, 2026 (KPT) — Senate President and Acting Head of State Samdech Techo Hun Sen has urged government officials to strengthen public service delivery and remember that civil servants are meant to serve citizens rather than exercise authority over them.

Addressing 1,189 provincial and local officials in Kampong Thom province, Hun Sen emphasized accountability, efficiency and closer engagement with communities at the grassroots level.

He reminded commune and sangkat council members to pay greater attention to their responsibilities and improve the delivery of essential services in a faster and more effective manner.

“Officials are not the bosses of the people; they are the honest servants of the people,” he said, warning against inactivity, abuse of authority or putting pressure on citizens. The veteran leader reiterated a message he frequently delivered during his years as prime minister, urging officials to take proactive approaches to their work. “We must run toward the work; we must not wait for the work to come to us. We must run toward the people; we must not wait for the people to come to us,” he said.

Samdech Techo Hun Sen also called for a firm stance against online scam operations and cybercrime, stressing there would be no tolerance for individuals or locations involved in fraud. He urged local authorities to continue protecting natural resources, particularly the flooded forests around Tonlé Sap lake, and to prevent illegal encroachment and deforestation.

Officials were further instructed to maintain social stability and public order by implementing Cambodia’s “Safe Village and Commune” policy, including crackdowns on robbery, drug trafficking and cybercrime.

The Kampong Thom meeting marked the 12th province included in Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s ongoing mission to engage directly with local leaders and civil servants nationwide.