Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 19 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that funds used for Facebook promotions are intended to disseminate information to the public and do not come from the national budget.

The premier spoke on Wednesday (Feb. 19) at the graduation for students of the Asia Europe University, held at Diamond Island Convention & Exhibition Centre.

His statement came after a foreign newspaper recently alleged that the prime minister spent over $1 million from the national budget to boost Facebook pages and increase engagement.

In response, the prime minister clarified that promotional funds are used to expand public information and presented data showing that many global leaders, including those in the United States, have used paid Facebook promotions, particularly during election campaigns.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei added that his media spending did not cost a single riel, yet each year, approximately USD 1 million is allocated for domestic scholarships, USD 600,000 for scholarships abroad, and additional funds for supporting citizens in need.
=FRESH NEWS