AKP Phnom Penh, July 16, 2025 --

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate of the Kingdom of Cambodia, received H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir, a member of the Indonesian Presidential Advisory Council and founder of Mayapada Group, at the Senate Palace this morning.

According to Senate spokesperson H.E. Chea Thyrith, during the courtesy meeting, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his pleasure at meeting H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir again. He shared that he had requested His Majesty the King to appoint Dr. Tahir as his advisor, expressing confidence that the appointment would contribute to Cambodia’s development and to strengthening Cambodia–Indonesia relations.

In response, H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir thanked Samdech Techo Hun Sen for the appointment and outlined his objectives and initiatives aimed at improving people’s lives, as he has done in Indonesia and other countries. He emphasised that humanitarian work transcends borders and expressed his desire to support Cambodia. He also requested Samdech Techo’s recommendations and guidance in this regard.

H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir praised Samdech Techo Hun Sen’s leadership, describing him as a remarkable and widely respected leader who has rebuilt Cambodia, ensured peace and political stability, and overseen exceptional economic growth over the past two decades.

Samdech Techo highlighted areas in which H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir could consider contributing, such as rural development and, in particular, support for Cambodian veterans. This includes the construction of housing and water wells for veterans and their families.

Having experienced hardship as a soldier himself, Samdech Techo stressed the importance of caring for veterans. “It is a virtue. Soldiers should not be used only when needed and then forgotten,” he said. He encouraged H.E. Dato Sri Prof. Dr. Tahir to explore the possibility of developing a veterans' village as part of this support.

Regarding the ongoing border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, Samdech Techo underlined that the two sides should cooperate in trade and sports exchanges, etc., rather than bullet exchanges. He affirmed that Cambodia’s approach—such as filing a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—represents a commitment to peaceful resolution.

By C. Nika