Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has spent over $1.5 million on Facebook ads since September 2022, following his father’s resignation. The ads promote his leadership activities, raising concerns about funding transparency. Critics argue that the posts prioritize personal gain over discussing important government policies.
Prime Minister Hun Manet has invested over $1.5 million in Facebook advertisements since September 2022, according to data from Meta Platform Inc. This significant expenditure began less than a year before his father, Hun Sen, resigned after a lengthy 38-year term as prime minister. Following the July 2023 elections, Hun Manet was appointed to succeed his father, a change that had been anticipated.
Hun Sen, now serving as Senate president, has utilized Facebook extensively for public communication and to criticize political adversaries, leveraging the platform’s popularity in Cambodia. Shortly before his resignation, Meta faced criticism for not suspending Hun Sen’s accounts despite threats he made against political opponents during the election period, which lacked robust opposition.
Hun Manet promotes his public engagements and leadership on social media through boosted Facebook posts, aiding visibility for his remarks in response to public criticisms. This strategy aims at increasing the public’s exposure to the Prime Minister’s activities and message, despite potential concerns about the motivations driving such promotions.
Concerns regarding the source of funding for these initiatives have been raised by analysts such as Kim Sok, who argues that transparency about whether money for ads comes from government budgets or business donations is critical. He posits that understanding these financial sources should be a priority for Cambodia’s Anti-Corruption Unit for accountability.
Sok has criticized the content of Hun Manet’s posts, claiming they focus primarily on personal benefit rather than substantive discussions on governmental policies. He points out that few posts adequately address issues that could “help the poor and protect the nation.” Attempts to contact officials from the Prime Minister’s office and the Anti-Corruption Unit for comment were unsuccessful.
Prime Minister Hun Manet’s significant ad spending on Facebook highlights a strategic approach to enhance visibility and communication with the public. However, concerns linger regarding transparency in funding sources and the focus of the content shared. As criticisms mount about the nature of these promotions, calls for accountability and a more policy-centric dialogue from government officials persist.
Original Source: www.rfa.org
