Who runs Cambodia? Hun Manet is PM, but his dad still pulls the strings

Cambodia’s prime minister operates under the watchful eye of former leader Hun Sen, who remains a formidable force in Cambodian politics

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Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet looks at a phone at the Asean summit in Vientiane on Friday. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:06am, 14 Oct 2024Updated: 1:39pm, 14 Oct 2024

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet kept a low profile at the Asean summit in Vientiane, holding meetings on the sidelines with fellow leaders but making no public statements to the media.

An ex-military man, he marched straight past waiting reporters as he arrived for summit sessions, his most animated moment a jovial conversation with Singapore’s foreign minister.

More than a year after inheriting power from his father Hun Sen, he has yet to hold an open news conference to explain how he will navigate challenges including balancing China and the West.

In contrast, Hun Sen regularly opines on government policy to his millions of social media followers.

Analysts say the father remains the power behind the throne in the Southeast Asian nation.

Hun Sen (centre), his son Hun Manet and Cambodian People’s Party Honorary President Heng Samrin (left), release doves in Phnom Penh to mark the 45th anniversary of the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in January. Photo: AFP

Officially, Hun Sen stepped down last year after nearly four decades of iron-fisted rule, passing the baton to his eldest son following a landslide win in national polls held without any significant opposition parties.