Cambodians vote Sunday in an election that’s been widely dismissed as a sham, one that will extend the 38-year rule of Hun Sen and set the stage for a dynastic succession to his son.
That’s a shame. Not familiar with Cambodian politics - is there any chance at all the dictatorship can crumble?
I’d like to think that in 2023 with the spread of (democratic) information on the internet people will be more matured, stand up against dictatorship and all that but then just last month Hun Sen jailed many if not all opposition candidates rendering the election a charade to let the world know that “hey we have democracy here”.
Sadly, this happened in many country in Southeast Asia especially those with Junta military in power. Thailand Parliament just last week ends Pita Limjaroenrat quest who win popular vote to be Thai PM. And in Myanmar, everyone from Aung San Su Kyi Party (NLD) already in jail or worse missing.
Indonesia where i live used to be ruled by Junta Military for almost 32 years until reformation in 1998. What’s important to note is that General Soeharto himself wasnt full blast cracking down on democracy supporters, there are still casualities but the overall smooth transfer of power is what the we can be proud of. I’m not saying that Indonesia is the best model but maybe other country with Junta Military ruler can learn from us. Once they have real democracy good change will come.
