My generation started the school year glorifying our nation's rulers and their glory pasts - especially, Jayvarman VII from the peak of Angkor area. For a short while, the nation was seemingly at peace and as a young boy, there was nothing to worry except finding times to play with friends. I remembered that I need to get wacked once a day to be a good boy. My mother was even kind enough to offer me a choice of the whipping sticks. Politics and all the rests were for the adults only, whatever happened then, including
the Coup d'état thereof were not my concerns - until one night I woke up in the middle to rythm of gun fires. The civil war had begun and there were wounded soldiers passing by in trucks and on tuk tuks in the morning. Two days later, I left Takeo on the last train to Kampot.
I hate to annoy you with my little pathetic story, but merely take it simply as an intro. to what I about to share with you of what I have learned and still continue to learn till today.
My history lessons way back then were not the same as the one written today, nor were they truly reflected the past historical records of our nation. All data had and have been somewhat modified to a certain extend in which a younger generation might find somewhat incoherent. During my school years in Cambodia, the kings have been glorified to a greater extend, but I doubted it very much for those who were doing their studies during the communist rules. Therefore, regardless of our generational gaps, it's critically important that we must rely on some other foreign materials to have a better accuracy of our nation's paths to the present. You can begin with this second edition by David P. Chandler, A History of Cambodia.
If anyone has not had the opportunity to read it, please get yourself one and digging it through. It will give you a great perspective to our nation's struggle for freedom and independence. We have had a couple of golden opportunities, but we blew them.
The road we are embarking upon at this moment is nothing less than the period explained in details by Mr. Chandler when it comes to the Vietnamese seizurainty, 1830s and the subsequent periods thereafter, squeezed between Thai and/or Vietnam. This time the beneficiary is Vietnam, and it is just another phase, extremely sophisticated, yet legally systematic to which I am haunted, and I think all Cambodian should be worried sick about this government policy so-called "Development", in plain language - Land Concessions, illegal settlers and migration, total economic dependency. When you sum them all up, and before you know it, we are back again as a subservient nation existing for the betterment of our imperialist neighbour and her citizens, and you know who I am talking about.
Having said that, I still believe deep down in my heart that one fine day just like our people in the past, we will come to recognize this danger and make appropriate demand to be free once again.
I do not wish to promote or encourage in any shape or form of any hatred toward any people, not the Thais nor the Vietnamese. We can't blame all of our demises on our neighbour, nor we should practice extremist and hatred policy of the past. Our ability to control our own destiny is still within our reach. Of course, we often find much frustration and disappointment for the fact that, it is truly challenging to try to empower and educate our people to see far beyond "TODAY".
Personally, I am concerned that the Royal government of Cambodia today does not understood its history, Khmer people and their long aspiration for freedom and dignity. Especially, when it comes to the form of subserviency. I used to joke with my dad that the Prime Minister has been ill-advised since he does not seem to comprehend that his country need no strong man, but strong institutions.
Any leader will live to regret should he or she continues to be disconnected with their people. In the case of our leader and his commarades, he almost gave his life in joinning the Khmer Rouge. It has been a very long and winding road for the current leaders of our country's today. The principles of equality, justice and human dignity, especially the poors and the needies are no longer applicable, nor defensible on their accounts. Those cadres have become extremely rich at the expenses of the poors and the evictees, thanks in part to donors' money, deforestation, land concessions so on and so forth. They have not only embraced the free market idea, but taken it far beyond one's imagination. And so it goes, It's just another vicious cycle in human suffering which never seems to end, particularly when it comes to our gentle people, Khmers.
I am hopeful, as always, that before my time comes, Cambodia will be free. Our government will be responsible, care of its own people, especially the unfortunate ones. They are growing by the numbers, and if history has ever taught anyone anything, you need to be connected to the people's desperate needs and despair. Our people are compassionate, gentle and courteous, but we know that through many events in the past, there is a limit to everything. The government was elected by the people to care for the people, not their own personal greeds. Continue to stray from that reality, history will tend to repeat itself in a sad way. I would encourage our Prime Minister to reflect on all concerns and to be re-connected with the people, to help the poors and the desperates. He must tell his cronies that enough is enough. Wise up or pay the price. There is a French proverb, " Good things must come to an end eventually."
