AKP Phnom Penh, September 25, 2025 --

Acting Head of State Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has issued a correction to his social media post yesterday about an assassination attempt against him on Sept. 24, 1998, in Siem Reap provincial city.

In a new post this morning, Samdech Techo clarified that his earlier statement was inaccurate, particularly the point suggesting that if he had died or been injured, Cambodia would not have achieved the peace and development it enjoys today because the “master of the Win-Win Policy” would no longer exist.

“Writing in this way was a mistake, as it reflected only one side of my role without taking into account other contributing factors. I would now like to provide an additional analysis of what might have happened after my death,” he explained.

Samdech Techo outlined four possible scenarios:

1. A bloodbath would have immediately erupted, causing many deaths in Siem Reap provincial city.

2. The situation would have been managed, with the National Assembly convening to form a new government or falling into a deadlock.

3. The country would have continued to face war, with divided control between the government and the Khmer Rouge.

4. Other outstanding political leaders could have found internal reconciliation and achieved peace, leading to economic and social development that might even surpass what was achieved under his leadership.

Samdech Techo concluded that there are still many more factors for others to consider and evaluate.

By Heng Panha