As I read stories after stories about The Redshirts, a Thai group determined to oust the current Thai Government, continue to risk their lives despite the impending violence and death of their fellow members and the Iran protest after Mahmoud Ahmedinejad won the election, my mind reflects to the situation in Cambodia. I wondered why Cambodians aren’t this brave. Why aren’t they risking their lives and limbs for the betterment of their future and children’s future?

First we have Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge solder who now is the Dictator posing as Cambodia’s Democratic Prime Minister. Think about that for a minute. A former Khmer Rouge solder now runs the same country that he helped caused the death of 2 million Cambodians and countless fatherless and motherless children. Can you imagine a former prominent Nazi soldier being the Prime Minister of Israel or Poland? He would not have even sniffed the country’s oceanic territory let alone rise to power in those countries. Why Cambodia allowed Hun Sen to be in power and remained in power for so long boggles my mind.

When the top of the command chain began as a flaw, then the whole situation will continue to be flawed.

The last attempt at a protest was in 1997 and that quickly dissipated after a supposed militia group, fired into the crowd killing several protestors. Once the news broke, we all knew that was not just some pro Government militia group that fired into the crowd, but that they were Government goons sent out to disperse and intimidate the crowd from forming a meaningful protest. Yet, disperse they did. And just like that, whatever gripes of injustice the protestors have had, dispersed with them.

Since then, the last major anti Government movement attempt was in 2000 when an ill prepared coup d’état attempt by The Freedom Fighters ended as soon as it got started. The man in charge of the operation, Yasith Chhun, a Long Beach, CA native, stood near the Thailand border as his Freedom Fighter soldiers attacked a Government military headquarter in Phnom Penh. William Wallace he is not. Yasith Chhun has recently been sentenced to life imprisonment.

We’ve all read reports of Government corruption, opposition intimidation and assassination, and heartless evictions. Yet, nothing significant is being done by the people to express their outrage; nothing of the Redshirts of sorts. They have done nothing against the Government that shows courage, determination, and fighting for a belief. Nothing that makes you admire their cause whether you believe in it or not.

Are Cambodians content with the current Government? Are they too worried to lose what little they have? Are they, shall I say, cowards?

We can understand that the rich and powerful will fight to maintain their status quo, but why are the poor quiet on this matter? Why are they just crying in front of cameras, forming peaceful marches and not rise up to form a defiant and formidable group to send the Government a message?

Cambodia, with its rich resources, tourist attractions, welcoming people, and powerful countries eager to help should not be progressing as slowly as it is now.

That’s what happens when those in power are more interested in expending their power to protect their own interest than worry about the interest of the people.

Cambodians need to rise up and fight for their future. But I could be wrong and they’re all content with current situation. And in this case, silence seems to be an acceptance of the norm.

Written by :

Justin