Cambodia’s Prime Minister Invests $1.5 Million in Facebook Advertising

Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has allocated more than $1.5 million towards Facebook advertising since September 2022. This financing coincided with his rise to office, following his father’s lengthy tenure. Critics are voicing concerns over the funding’s origin and the intent behind the social media promotions, emphasizing a lack of governmental accountability and focus on substantive policies.

According to a database maintained by Meta Platform Inc., Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia has spent over $1.5 million on Facebook advertisements over the past two and a half years. The expenditures began in September 2022, shortly before Hun Manet succeeded his father, Hun Sen, as prime minister after his resignation in August 2023 post-general election.
Hun Sen had ruled the country for 38 years and was well-known for using Facebook to engage with the public and attack political adversaries. Ahead of his resignation, Meta disregarded recommendations from its oversight board to suspend Hun Sen’s Facebook and Instagram accounts after he issued threats of violence against opponents during the election, which had minimal competition.
Hun Manet’s Facebook account, titled “Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia,” promoted posts displaying him at public engagements and involved in various leadership tasks. This approach increased the visibility of his responses to critics online as well.
Activist Kim Sok called for transparency regarding the source of funding for the advertisements promoting Hun Manet, suggesting that the public deserves clarity on whether this money originated from government funds or private contributions. He noted that the social media promotion seems to serve personal interests rather than governmental initiatives that could assist the impoverished or protect the nation.
Efforts to reach Meas Sophon, the spokesperson for the prime minister’s office, and the spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Unit, Soy Chanvichet, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. This lack of communication raises further questions about accountability in the government’s use of social media for political gain.

In summary, Prime Minister Hun Manet’s significant spending on Facebook promotion raises concerns about transparency and the appropriateness of using public funds for personal political gain. While Hun Manet engages with citizens online, critics argue that the focus has shifted away from pressing governmental issues, warranting further examination into the funding sources and the implications of such promotional activities. The calls for clarity from public figures and activists underline the necessity for accountability within the Cambodian government and its use of social media platforms.

Original Source: www.rfa.org