Hun Sen predicts he can't rule until he is 80

Thursday, 21 January 2010
By Khmerization
Source: Radio Free Asia

Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) has predicted that he can't rule until he is 80 years old, but also said it depends on the decision of the voters through the elections, reports Radio Free Asia.

A few years ago, Mr. Hun Sen said he will rule as prime Minister until he is 90 years old. But speaking at the Sixth Asian Economic Forum on 20th January in Phnom Penh, Hun Sen admitted that his health will not allow him to rule until he is 80, but insists it depends on the voters. "When I am 80, I don't think I am strong enough. Now I am 58, so there are 22 more years to go when I will be 80, so it is a very, very long time. But everything does not depends an anyone's age, it depends on the people (voters) only", he said.

He also said that if he loses in the 2013 election, he will congratulate the winner and transfer all powers to the person without hesitation. "But if in 2013 the people will not elect me, my only choice is to leave the office, so the winner has nothing to worry: I will go to the Council of Ministers headquarter and sign to transfer everything to the new leader and I will congratulate and wish the new leader good luck to sever the country well and I won't harrass you (him). Please don't worry, I will help to tell those who used to support me to support the new leader because he/she is elected by the people. So, please don't worry", Mr. Hun Sen said.

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