Phnom Penh (FN), Dec. 26 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the Ministry of Justice to amend laws to impose harsher penalties on street gangs frequently involved in violent acts, including stabbings.
The premier spoke on Thursday (Dec. 26) during a graduation of more than 1,000 students of the University of Human Resources, held at the National Institute of Education.
Samdech Thipadei underlined that strict law enforcement is essential to prevent violent incidents among youths, ensuring the safety of families, children, and the broader community.
Samdech Thipadei urged the Ministry of Justice to review existing laws, particularly concerning young individuals who carry weapons including samurai swords and boast about their actions on social media. He highlighted the importance of taking preventive measures rather than waiting for violent incidents to occur before intervening.
Samdech Thipadei underscored, “We need to take a serious look at the law. When individuals boast or instigate violence, it could amount to threats. If the current legal framework is too lenient, we must amend it to make it stricter. Simply educating offenders may not suffice, as they often return to the same behavior. This not only harms their future but also causes immense distress to their families.”
Samdech Thipadei further noted that leniency towards offenders could embolden others, citing the recent case of a brutal gang-related killing in Takeo province as an example that must be addressed with the utmost seriousness. Samdech Thipadei expressed hope that stricter measures would deter others from engaging in similar violent acts.
On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei called on guardians, teachers, and students to focus on nurturing responsible behavior among children and youth. He also instructed provincial and municipal authorities, along with police and military chiefs, to intensify enforcement efforts against gangs.
According to a report from the Ministry of Justice, in the seven months since the government launched its anti-gang crackdown in May 2024, authorities have addressed 720 gang-related cases and arrested 3,300 suspects.
=FRESH NEWS
