Phnom Penh (FN) Oct. 1 – Cambodian Army Commander Hun Manet taunted former opposition leader Sam Rainsy for lacking the courage to defend what he has said.

The statement was made after Sam Rainsy denied wagering with Manet over allegations that Manet owned fake degree from West Point Military Academy.

“The real knowledge and expertise are shown through practical achievement and accountability without the needs to swear or wager like kids,” Sam Rainsy wrote on Facebook on 30 September 2019.

Today, 1 October 2019, Manet wrote on his Facebook, “The word [without the needs to wagers] means [not dare to wager]. I thank Mr. Sam Rainsy for letting me know the level of his courage in backing up his claims.”

“I do not have time to accompany Mr. Sam Rainsy, as he does not have evidence to back up his statement. Let the public judge,” Manet added.

Yesterday Manet already warned that, “If Sam Rainsy does not accept the bet or cannot show evidence to back up what he has said, it will show that he is just an immature and irresponsible politician, who could not be a role model for the next generation. I dare to speak, I dare to do and I dare to be responsible for what I have said.”

It is worth noting that General Hun Manet, on Monday, called out Rainsy to wager with him over allegations that Manet's degree from West Point was a fake one.

“A wager is something that I do not want to do; I have no other choices but to protect my honour and dignity from baseless attacks by some individuals,” General Hun Manet, the eldest son of Prime Minister Hun Sen, wrote on his Facebook page on Monday, 30 September.

“I was shocked to see Mr. Rainsy’s public speech to his supporters in the United States (28 September 2019) that the degree I received from the United States Military Academy, West Point, was a fake one,” Manet continued.

“I would like to invite Mr. Sam Rainsy to wager in order for us to defend our dignity on the conditions that if my degree is fake, I will quit military; if it is a real one, Rainsy shall quit politics.”

Rainsy told supporters in the US on 28 September 2019: “Manet’s degree is a 2nd degree and was given for diplomatic reasons as the US wanted to build good relations. They give this to the sons of foreign prime ministers and presidents to show off in their home countries,”

On 30 September, Rainsy also wrote on his Facebook that: “Hun Sen and his family provide bad examples for the Cambodian youth and the education system in Cambodia by boasting their fake degrees or second-class diplomas associated with lower level education compared to the standard level.”
=FRESH NEWS