Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed law enforcement officers and relevant authorities at all levels to ensure security and public order during the Khmer New Year celebrations this month – the first since the community outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020.
Hun Sen gave the instructions at an April 1 cabinet meeting, during which two draft laws were passed – one on food safety and another introducing an amendment to Article 140 of the Law on Administrative Management of Capital, Provinces, Municipalities and Districts.
“The authorities must spread the instructions put in place by the Ministry of Health and local administrations widely, as well maintaining their own measures to combat the spread of Covid-19,” the premier said.
He also instructed the Ministry of Economy and Finance to work with the relevant ministries and institutions to address the inequality in pension payments experienced by lower-paid civil servants and veterans.
Hun Sen underscored that salaries and pensions must be paid regularly for recipients to meet their daily expenses.
Li Ailan, World Health Organisation representative to Cambodia, said on April 2 that Khmer New Year needs to be celebrated, albeit carefully, amid the pandemic.
“We all feel excited that we can celebrate the coming Khmer New Year after so long . . . And we still need to celebrate it in a safer and SMART way to protect your loved ones & community,” she tweeted.
“No matter how busy we are, we need to continue our efforts whenever possible, and maintain our healthy lifestyles with positive energy and happy moods,” she added.
