Phnom Penh (FN), Mar. 21 – Cambodian Senate President, Samdech Techo Hun Sen said that it seems to be his fate—ordained by the gods—to have Samdech Tea Banh by his side during difficult times, likening his presence to having an army at all times.

Samdech Techo presided over a ceremony conferring the five-star general rank on former Defence Minister Tea Banh and former Minister of Inspection Men Sam An on Friday (Mar. 21).

“I can say that whenever a situation arises, it seems as though destiny has ensured that I always have Tea Banh by my side. As the former Defence Minister, he served as Minister of National Defence for 35 years, while I held the position of Prime Minister for 38 years. Having Tea Banh is like having an army close at hand. This is my true sentiment,” Samdech Techo underscored.

He added that in every difficult situation, Tea Banh has always been present, a fact that holds true from the past to the present. In particular, Samdech Men Sam An played a crucial role in connecting and strengthening this movement—building the army, fortifying the party, and ultimately contributing to the process of national development alongside other dignitaries.

Additionally, Samdech Techo noted that the success of the win-win policy might not have been possible without Tea Banh. He highlighted that, at the time, intelligence reports presented various threats, but Tea Banh’s ability to analyse the situation proved vital. For example, intelligence once indicated that Y Chhien was meeting Ta Mok at a specific hotel and in a particular room. Had this information been acted upon without careful assessment, Y Chhien might have been eliminated.

Samdech Techo recalled that Tea Banh played a key role in protecting Y Chhien at a critical moment when there were suspicions that he was conspiring with Ta Mok. Despite strong intelligence suggesting a plot to assassinate Y Chhien in an attempt to destabilise Cambodia, Samdech Techo placed his trust in Tea Banh’s judgement.

At this point, Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasised that if they had acted solely on intelligence reports about an alleged conspiracy between Y Chhien and Ta Mok, the government would not have had to launch a military operation to reclaim Pailin from the Khmer Rouge. However, had the people of Pailin refused to integrate with the government or aligned themselves with the Khmer Rouge, it could have undermined national unity and derailed efforts to consolidate the nation under one administration.

He concluded by reaffirming that Y Chhien and Sok Pheap had never truly conspired with Ta Mok, and that Y Chhien, in particular, had been one of those who actively fought against Ta Mok. Any speculation that he had negotiated with the Khmer Rouge leader was unfounded.
=FRESH NEWS