Selected Comments at the Groundbreaking of the Buddhist Temple in the Sovanratana Sophoan Pagoda in the District of Stoeungtrang, Kompong Cham Province 

17 May 04

... As I made my way here, I was told that it was raining since three o’clock (am) and I noticed that in Takhmao there was also a big rain. In general it has been raining in many places giving sign that the rainy season has started from this third week of May. Our people are also preparing necessary tools for the 2004 rainy season rice production. It is in this remark that I am very pleased to come to meet our people in the communes of Peam Prosna and Preah Andaung in the district of Stoeungtrang – my native place. Three of my mother’s brothers and my father’s youngest brother got married with people from Preah Andaung. So the two communes are in short distance and connection. As far as I can remember, people in Preah Andaung commune went to study in the commune of Peam Prosna.

... As we are laying the ground for the construction of the Preah Andaung Buddhist temple, I also would like to express my regret over the loss of the Buddhist temple in the Udompor pagoda that was built in 1935 and was slipped through into the water from soil erosion in 2002. The fifty-year-old temple of the pagoda in Peam Prosna also is facing similar ill fate resulting in necessary relocation of the temple to a safer area. It is indeed a regret as the temple, which could have been a national heritage judging by its long life, has suffered such a destructive fate. Earlier, we had the destruction caused by the Khmer Rouge regime, but after 1979 efforts have been made to rebuild and renovate destroyed religious buildings and it is a pity that some of them have been damaged by the natural disaster.

... Having come to my native place once again, comparing to forty years ago, I could not recall some of the geographical revolution as there used to be a water canal and two small islands in front of the Preah Andaung pagoda, but now they have perished into the river already. My brother and I used to collect grass there for cows. This has clearly illustrated that our country is subjected to both man-made and natural disasters and we have to try our utmost to overcome them. No matter what happened, I am glad for today’s participation in the groundbreaking of the new temple after the disappearance of the previous temple in 2002. I wish to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to the efforts and contributions made by HE Teng Lao, HE Oknha Sim Vanna, many CPP members and generous people for the construction of the above pagoda.

... I wish also to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to the people in the district of Stoeungtrang in particular, and the people of Kompong Cham province and throughout the country as a whole for casting their votes in support of the CPP and my candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Therefore I cannot walk out because this would be a betrayal to our people’s will. That is why I have made it clear that if the new Government could not be formed, the existing Government would go on. CPP ranks first in the commune of Preah Andaung as 74,39% of the vote went to CPP. The negotiation for the formation of the new Government is going on while the groundbreaking for the construction of pagoda would also do the same. I have seen from helicopter that our people have grown maize, sesame, etc. and they do not wait for the formation of the Government at all.

... As far as political situation is concerned, I have only one suggestion that all problems must be solved peacefully, constitutionally and according to the election results. If the new Government could not be formed the current Government is going on because the Constitution does not allow the establishment of a provisional Government. Some accused me of trying to stay in power, but they should wait and compete again in 2008. I used to cross the river from the Peam Prosna pagoda to the Preah Andaung pagoda everyday, and who knows I become a Prime Minister. Some people cry for becoming a Prime Minister, but could not. However, what is the most important for me is that we are making efforts for a better and advanced living condition for our people. Poverty has not got wings to fly away but could be reduced only through our own efforts.

... Some people have become poorer because they helped their own parties. Some sold their oxen in pursuit for the position of head of district. I learned that they have started the process of selling positions. I just warned them that I am the one who approves those positions. I may warn them also that those people may ask for the return of their money for the delay of the formation of the new Government. I wonder how do they combat corruption if they already started with selling off positions like that. If those people have to pay for their position, how could they address issues of corruption?

Samdech Hun Sen has on that occasion offered assistance for the local construction of fences, land leveling, entrances, generator, racing boat to the Sovanratak Sophoanmuni, 20 million Riel to the Muniraingsei pagoda, 15 million Riel to the Santhor Raingsei pagoda, five million Riel each to the Kiritipvoan pagoda and the Kirisala pagoda, the construction of a secondary school building with the money offered by HE Ambassador of PRC to commune of Preah Andaung, a school building of six classrooms to the villages in the commune of Arakthnaot, and some electrical appliances to the College of Peam Kohsna.

EndItem.