Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 16 calledon eligible voters to cast their ballots in the upcoming general election.
In a Facebook post, PM Hun Sen appealed to all compatriots, especially youngpeople, to go to the polls on July 29.
He thanked the people for trusting his leadership and hoped they wouldcontinue voting for the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) in order toensure long-lasting peace and development.
PM Hun Sen’s call came after self-exiled former opposition leader SamRainsy and his group repeatedly called for people to boycott the election,giving the reason that the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National RescueParty (CNRP) was not allowed to participate in the election.
In the forthcoming general election, Cambodian voters will elect 125 parliamentariansfor the 6th National Assembly. According to the National ElectionCommittee (NEC), five political parties, namely the ruling CPP, the FuncinpecParty, the Cambodian Youth Party, the Cambodian Nationality Party, and theKhmer National United Party, had been officially allowed to contest in theupcoming election.
NEC is considering the registration applications by other 15 politicalparties and the final number of the political parties joining the race will bereleased on May 21.
More than 8.3 million Cambodian people are eligible to cast theirballots in the July 29 election. The Cambodian National Police said around80,000 personnel will be deployed to maintain security for the election.
In the 2013 general election, eight political parties joined the race,in which the CPP won 68 seats against 55 seats for the then-CNRP in the123-seat National Assembly.
The CNRP was dissolved on November 16, 2017 by the Supreme Court afterits leader Kem Sokha, Sam Rainsy's successor, was arrested on September 3, 2017and charged with "treason" for conspiring with a foreign power in anattempt to overthrow the government.
Meanwhile, Sam Rainsy has been living in self-imposed exile in Francesince 2015 to avoid at least eight-year-prison sentence for defamation andincitement cases.-VNA
Cambodia plans to deploy a total of 80,000 security personnel to ensure security and public order during the general election in July, a senior officer said on April 18.
Cambodia’s Senate, the fourth tenure, held its first plenary session in Phnom Penh on April 23 under the chair of King Norodom Sihamoni, during which Vice President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Samdech Say Chhum was elected as President of the Senate in the fourth tenure.
The National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia on May 4 launched a campaign to call on voters to go to the polls for the general election which is scheduled to take place on July 29.
Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC) on May 14 announced the list of 20 political parties registering to contest in the general election slated for July 29.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
Trenggono emphasised that the Indonesian government aims to increase the total coverage of MPAs to 97.5 million hectares by 2045. This initiative forms a key component of the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, which prioritises sustainable maritime development and environmental protection.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
