Phnom Penh (FN), August 1 -- The voter turnout rate in the 2018 national election in Cambodia is a landslide participation of more than 80%. The National Election Committee has not yet announced official results of the election. The US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Mr. William Heidt also observed quietly the election process. Local and international independent observers have viewed the election process as being conducted in an atmosphere of free and fair.
Surprisingly and immediately as if predetermined, we saw a statement from White House press secretary on Cambodian election. The text does not appear consistent with President Trump's ways and policy lines at all. Most likely, the White House statement was done to appease to corners of US politics in exchange for some concessions. It could even be written by one or a few of the co-sponsors of Cambodian Democracy Act 2018 because based on the election result and turnout rate in Cambodia their Act would not be passed by the senate.
President Trump is a realist and he does not give much attention to interference around the world. US foreign policy which does not directly benefits US economy — as he said during his campaign that he prefers "America First" — receives no attention from President Trump.
President Trump is a business tycoon and he intends to improve US business deals around the world. A lot of US citizens like him and voted for him. He has never attacked Cambodia personally. In contrast, some US lawmakers and officials whose careers depend on Congress funding on foreign interference institutions such as USAID, Freedom House, IRI and others loath Trump because he threatens budget cut. These politicians pressure Trump and attack him on all fronts.
The result is that President Trump has to cave in on some issues. During the meeting in Manila, President Trump admired Prime Minister Hun Sen for his political success and economic triumph for Cambodia.
Trump does not care about different frames of judgment on democracy and standards of human rights. So long as the people are fed, well protected and everybody are happy gradually, it is the way to go.
On the other hand, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary and the woman who issued the Cambodian statement is a consistent victim of harassment from the press whenever she steps into the White House press conferences. She is a woman who dares defending Trump's "American First Policy” and interference last and lectures anti-Trump press outlets on fake news.
In recent months, Sanders who is the daughter of former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee was thrown out from a restaurant in Virginia for her defense of Trump. She then used her official White House Twitter account to react to the incident. The restaurant was in the wrong. Using the White House account on personal issues was unethical.
There is no perfect election in the World. For instance, the alleged Russian meddling in US election has caused so much controversy in President Trump administration. Trump’s cozy relationship with President Putin was considered by anti-Trump critics as weak and as traitorous by some extreme observers.
As a young professional still learning the trade and defending Trump, it is likely Sanders does not view Cambodian election as negative for democracy as it appears to be better than US's own presidential election. Election is one of the many other areas which promotes healthy democracy. The US official and foreigners should consider the decision of the majority of Cambodian populations who cast their votes as more important than secrete political agendas.
Unjust attacking against Cambodians will only make them unite and strong. Desperate fugitive Sam Rainsy who undermined the right of voters and campaigned to hinder the election was finally defeated by the people in shame. They went to cast their ballots overwhelmingly.
Once again, the voters are human beings. They are the people of Cambodia. They have deserved their dignity and the rights to decide what best for further development of their nation. Undermining their rights and dignity is uncivilized and undemocratic. All countrie should respect the decision of nearly seven million Cambodians, or more than 80% of registered voters, and regard them to be your friends in all aspects for long-term mutual benefits.
Alexander Johnson
Volunteer, Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia
