(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet defended the appointment of General Mak Sarun as head of the Defence Ministry’s Materiel and Technical Services Department, saying military promotions are based on performance, not age.

Speaking on Friday morning (May 15) at the celebration of the 19th Cambodian Veterans and Retirees Day in Phnom Penh, Samdech Thipadei praised Mak Sarun’s battlefield experience, Russian military education, and strategic leadership skills.

On the occasion, the prime minister also revealed plans to reform the armed forces by cutting unnecessary departments, streamlining command structures, and strengthening core units to build a faster and more effective military.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet noted that around 80% of Cambodia’s military personnel are officers and non-commissioned officers, while only about 15% are regular soldiers. To address the imbalance, the government plans to expand troop numbers through compulsory military service.
=FRESH NEWS