Hi Golden Bird,
I would like to add additional thoughts on some of your concerns.
Why people shy away from politics?
1-Threat or feeling intimidated:
Many people have “that feeling” of personal threat upon them if they are to speak up against the government or the ruling party. First, they don’t want to be harassed by Cambodian authority when they go to visit or live Cambodia. Secondly, they fear for their family members, friends and relative who are now living inside Cambodia. Many still have their family members and relative in Cambodia. I found that in reality Cambodian authority, which is now in full control over Cambodia via its solid infrastructures, doesn’t care much about what people think or say. But, the fear instilled upon people’s mind is very effective in keeping many people away from discussing politics. Since the majority of people value their personal interests first, national interests are not one of their top priorities.
2-Many people despise politicians:
Politicians are seen more and more by many people as nothing but liars, cheaters. When I travelled to Kampong Thom for the electoral campaign last years, I took a ride with a University’s student from a Phnom Penh who claimed that he was taught in his school that the word NOYOBAY (politics) means “an art of lies and cheats” (to get what one wants). Hence many people want to be in politics to get they want via lies and cheats. Corruption is an acceptable mean to get what politicians desire.
For common people, politicians are all the same--rotten. In many cases, the people are right. Just look at what have happened in the recent past to many politicians. Where are they now? What have happened to the so-called opposition leaders? How many people have been killed in the name of “NOYOBAY”?
So far, no politicians can prove that what the people say and feel is wrong yet.
Religion:
Buddhism is mostly commercialized now. Many young adults have become monks for many reasons but to practice the doctrine of Lord Buddha. Young monks are seen chatting away with brand new and late model cell phone and computer. “LOK Achar” and alike seem to be interested more and more in money rather than in community service. Services rendered by them are of poor quality and mostly have little to do with Buddhism. Older monks hold many jobs at the temple: fortune teller, black magician and "Krou Sraoch Teuk."
Have a good weekend.
By Timothy Chhim
--------------------------------------------------I would like to add additional thoughts on some of your concerns.
Why people shy away from politics?
1-Threat or feeling intimidated:
Many people have “that feeling” of personal threat upon them if they are to speak up against the government or the ruling party. First, they don’t want to be harassed by Cambodian authority when they go to visit or live Cambodia. Secondly, they fear for their family members, friends and relative who are now living inside Cambodia. Many still have their family members and relative in Cambodia. I found that in reality Cambodian authority, which is now in full control over Cambodia via its solid infrastructures, doesn’t care much about what people think or say. But, the fear instilled upon people’s mind is very effective in keeping many people away from discussing politics. Since the majority of people value their personal interests first, national interests are not one of their top priorities.
2-Many people despise politicians:
Politicians are seen more and more by many people as nothing but liars, cheaters. When I travelled to Kampong Thom for the electoral campaign last years, I took a ride with a University’s student from a Phnom Penh who claimed that he was taught in his school that the word NOYOBAY (politics) means “an art of lies and cheats” (to get what one wants). Hence many people want to be in politics to get they want via lies and cheats. Corruption is an acceptable mean to get what politicians desire.
For common people, politicians are all the same--rotten. In many cases, the people are right. Just look at what have happened in the recent past to many politicians. Where are they now? What have happened to the so-called opposition leaders? How many people have been killed in the name of “NOYOBAY”?
So far, no politicians can prove that what the people say and feel is wrong yet.
Religion:
Buddhism is mostly commercialized now. Many young adults have become monks for many reasons but to practice the doctrine of Lord Buddha. Young monks are seen chatting away with brand new and late model cell phone and computer. “LOK Achar” and alike seem to be interested more and more in money rather than in community service. Services rendered by them are of poor quality and mostly have little to do with Buddhism. Older monks hold many jobs at the temple: fortune teller, black magician and "Krou Sraoch Teuk."
Have a good weekend.
By Timothy Chhim
Dear Lok Papillon and Davan,
I agree with Davan and also understand Lok Papillon's frustration. For our Khmer issue, we can not blame on any individual as careless about Khmer. We're here today have to work hard everyday to support our family, even though our heart is toward our motherland. But how far we can go, how much we can involve and in the meanwhile to keep up our family. I myself also had a bad experience. To be honest I don't trust any politicians today. We should not abandon our hope because of the wound from the past, we can learn from the past to better the future, do whatever we can, no matter how little or how big because we all are part of the solution, even the young, the old, the Khmer inside or Khmer overseas are all parts of our country's solutions or problems.
Best regards,
KCKhoar Chev ( Made in Cambodia )
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