Accession and coronation On 14 October 2004, Sihamoni was chosen as monarch by the
Royal Council of the Throne, a special nine-member constitutional body that is tasked with electing the
King of Cambodia. This selection process was quickly put into place after the surprise
abdication of King
Norodom Sihanouk the week before. At that time, there were no provisions in the nation's
constitution that covered the subject of abdication. Prince Sihamoni's selection was endorsed by
Prime Minister Hun Sen and the then
National Assembly President Prince
Norodom Ranariddh (Sihamoni's half-brother), both members of the throne council. King Sihanouk backed the decision as well. A few years before his selection, there was speculation about potential succession after he was seen deputizing on Sihanouk's behalf at official functions despite him being rarely seen in public, although much of the initial speculation focused on Ranariddh who was the preferred choice of his parents, but who ultimately expressed disinterest in acceding to the throne. Sihamoni was said to have been reluctant to take on the stately role, but nevertheless accepted it in the national interest, returning on 20 October to Phnom Penh, accompanied by his parents, King-Father
Norodom Sihanouk and Queen-Mother
Norodom Monineath, to an estimated 100,000 people who lined their motorcade route from
Phnom Penh International Airport to the
Royal Palace to welcome the soon-to-be King. Then-Prince Sihamoni's accession to the throne was reflected upon by journalist Michael Sheridan of
The Sunday Times whom on 17 October 2004 remarked: Sheridan's reflection captured the symbolism of the moment in Cambodia's monarchical transition as these two indelible chapters etched into its national story; the undisputed significance of King Sihanouk's influential rule and the undeniably traumatic genocidal rule of the Khmer Rouge are juxtaposed with one another as the country entered a new historical era under the reign of King Sihamoni. He was then inaugurated and formally appointed as King on 29 October 2004 in a coronation ceremony centered at the
Royal Palace in the
capital. The coronation was noted for its relative simplicity, which was specifically requested by King-Father Sihanouk. King Sihamoni himself did not want the ceremonies to be too lavish because he did not wish for the impoverished country to spend too much money on the event, opting for a more modest affair. In a break with precedent, Sihamoni did not assume his seat on the higher, elevated throne nor did he wear the gold-and-diamond monarchial crown that came with the
royal regalia. In his first public speech as monarch, he acknowledged words of wisdom imparted to him by his father and pledged to be a king of the people by saying: In the first six months after his coronation, Sihamoni ensured to pay regular visits to his fellow Cambodians, especially those in the provinces and countryside, including occasionally making surprise visits. He was praised by observers for "being close to the people and having a gentle touch", though they also noted he still needed time to independently carve out his role as monarch amid the influential role of his father, former King Sihanouk, notwithstanding his abdication. On 29 October 2014, there were celebrations to mark the 10th anniversary of his coronation. Well-wishers representing different cross sections of the kingdom's population congregated outside the royal palace to commemorate the occasion and pay their respects to the King.
Privy advisory council in the Throne Hall of the
Royal Palace in 2009. to King Sihamoni in 2022. On 12 December 2008, it was reported that Sihamoni had selected twenty-six members of the Cambodian royal family to his advisory court, among them his half-brother and former
Prime Minister Prince
Norodom Ranariddh as chief advisor and president of the council. Other choices included Prince
Sisowath Sirirath, Princess
Norodom Marie (estranged wife of Prince
Ranariddh) and Prince
Sisowath Thomico. The King's half-sister and Cambodia's former Ambassador to
Malaysia, Princess
Norodom Arunrasmy and uncle, Prince
Norodom Sirivudh serve as members on the council as well. As
royalism has long been a staple in Cambodian political history, with periods where royalist parties had once governed the country, such as the
Sangkum of then-Prince
Sihanouk in the 1950s and 1960s and the
FUNCINPEC party of Prince
Ranariddh in the 1990s, the appointments was seen at the time by observers as signaling the cessation of royal family members participating in politics. This was because theoretically, the constitution did not allow individuals to concurrently serve in both the royal court and government. In late July 2023, upon the resignation of Prime Minister
Hun Sen, it was announced that the King would appoint him to take up the position as head of the council, succeeding
Ranariddh who had died in 2021. This coincided with the announcement that National Assembly President
Heng Samrin, Interior Minister
Sar Kheng, Defence Minister
Tea Banh, and National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Minister
Men Sam An, the latter three of whom concurrently served as
Deputy Prime Ministers, will too be appointed as privy counsellors once they have relinquished their respective positions. The appointments came into effect later in the following month. On 4 September 2023, the King made additional appointments to the council that included former Foreign Minister
Hor Namhong and former Supreme Court President
Dith Munty. In January 2024, former Cambodian military leader
Meas Sophea was also appointed to the council. This was followed by the appointments of former Senate President
Say Chhum and former Senate First and Second Vice Presidents
Sim Ka and
Tep Ngorn in March 2024.
Political role with King Sihamoni in 2010.|225px The King has limited political powers and rarely gets involved in the Cambodian political space, in conformance with his
position as a
constitutional monarch, and is considered to be 'above politics'. Some Cambodian opposition figures, however, have called for him to be more vocal and directly involved in the political issues of the country, like his predecessor, King-father
Norodom Sihanouk was, contending that the King has the constitutional prerogative to do so, in terms of powers accorded to him. Conversely, others have cautioned against this notion, citing that the
constitution strictly warrants for a predominantly ceremonial monarch that "shall reign but shall not govern", noting that resorting to political intervention is neither in the long-term interests of the monarchy nor nation, and Sihamoni, since the outset of his reign, has pledged and adhered to a largely apolitical stance. Indeed, during the monarchical selection process, King
Sihanouk touted then Prince Sihamoni's neutral and impartial approach to politics as a key trait for why he is suited to the role. This is reinforced by analysis from observers that Sihamoni "has represented both continuity and change — withdrawing royalty from active politics, but advancing it as a symbol of national reconciliation", thereby restoring the "monarchy's traditional role as an 'umbrella' under which Cambodians could unite." In turn, observers argue that this limits any politicization of the monarchy as an institution whilst maintaining its neutrality as well as legitimacy, especially amid the context of the sometimes controversial and turbulent nature of
Cambodian politics.
Bilateral border dispute Nevertheless, there have been several occasions where Sihamoni's reluctance to be involved in the political arena have been tested. In 2005, in the first major political challenge of his reign, it was reported that he was hesitant to authorize the
royal assent for the government's plans to give effect to a controversial
border treaty with neighbouring
Vietnam, which was compounded by his predecessor, King-father Sihanouk's objection. This caused tension with the government after Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed frustration about the royal assent delay to the point that
abolition of the monarchy was suggested. Sihamoni eventually signed the treaty, after having been assured by government and legislative officials as well as other members of the royal family, that no land would be ceded to Vietnam as a result of the promulgation of the bilateral treaty.
Political pardons in 2016.|225px In 2006, at the government's petition, he granted a pardon to leading opposition politicians, namely
Sam Rainsy and
Cheam Channy, who originally had their
parliamentary immunity annulled and were facing charges viewed as politically motivated. In regards to Rainsy, he was embroiled in a legal dispute with Prime Minister
Hun Sen, over a 1997
grenade attack on a political rally, which injured Rainsy, as he was giving a speech. He had accused Prime Minister Sen of being involved, an accusation that the Prime Minister denies, though Rainsy later expressed regret in making the claim. As for Channy, he was designated as a
prisoner of conscience by
Amnesty International, where he was convicted for
fraud and in attempting to
conspire to overthrow the government. At the time, the move by Sihamoni was found to be encouraging by international observers as it indicated a conciliatory gesture that points to a reduction of political tensions and restoration of
multi-party democracy in the country. In 2009, Sihamoni, upon considering the appeals made to him for the review of the conviction verdict against opposition-affiliated journalist and editor
Hang Chakra, who was jailed on charges of "criminal disinformation", sought the government's support for a prospective royal pardon. The appeals were made to him in his capacity as a member of the
Supreme Council of the Magistracy. This request was reportedly rejected by the government for reasons not stated, but it was eventually later accepted, of which Sihamoni went on to grant a full pardon to Chakra in 2010. In late 2009, amid then-strained
diplomatic relations between Cambodia and
Thailand, Sihamoni pardoned a
Thai national, Siwarak Chutipongse, on humanitarian grounds after a request by multiple parties, including Siwarak's mother, the
Pheu Thai Party and former Thai Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra. Siwarak had been controversially charged and jailed by a Cambodian court for
espionage due to his leaking sensitive flight-related details of Thaksin to Thai officials. Around that time, Thaksin was living in exile abroad despite being a wanted fugitive for corruption in his homeland, which he challenged. He also served as an advisor to the Cambodian government, which publicly backed Thaksin and resisted the
extradition attempt from the
Thai government.
General election of 2013 and aftermath In the lead-up to the
2013 Cambodian general election, Sihamoni at the request of the government, granted a royal
pardon which enabled then Opposition Leader
Sam Rainsy, who had been in self-imposed
exile since 2009, to partake in the election which was welcomed by the
United Nations. Prior to the pardoning, Rainsy had found himself in legal jeopardy once again due to another politically motivated charge brought against him arising from an incident in 2009. When the election outcome became disputed between the ruling
Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and opposition
Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), the subsequent aftermath resulted in the
2013–2014 Cambodian protests. Consequently, in what is regarded as the first time he had intervened directly to try to resolve a political dispute, the King attempted to play a mediating role and urged for
national reconciliation, by exercising his
moral authority to facilitate talks between the two party leaders, Rainsy and Prime Minister
Hun Sen. He implored for a de-escalation of tensions, including an end to the violence between the protestors and authorities, and for the parties to find common ground towards a resolution regarding their issues. In late July 2014, the CPP and CNRP eventually reached a mutually agreed deal to resolve the political impasse. with King Sihamoni in 2011 at the
Baphuon temple.|225px After this, in August 2014, Sihamoni would formally swear-in Rainsy and the CNRP members of parliaments who had up until then, refused to assume their seats in the
National Assembly because of the dispute, though he had earlier officiated Prime Minister Sen's and CPP lawmakers' swearing-in ceremony in September of the previous year due to a constitutional necessity. He later encouraged the two sides to "continue to work together for the sake of stability, development and national unity" and for a time, there was a "culture of dialogue" between the rival political parties. This period of dialogue was relatively short-lived as tensions soon manifested again that culminated in the dissolution of the CNRP in late 2017 and the reallocation of the party's seats that they won in the general election to other political parties in concurrence with the gradual persecution of members associated with the CNRP.
Controversial legislation In the same year, a piece of legislation was introduced, named the Political Parties Law, that human rights organisations saw as a means of further curtailing the power of the opposition in the run-up to the
2018 Cambodian general election. When it came to the formalization of this law through the required royal assent, Sihamoni was coincidentally overseas, thereby delegating the royal assent duties to the
President of the Senate, who constitutionally serves as the acting
head of state in the King's absence. This then prompted speculation as to whether there was an underlying reason behind the timing of his overseas trip. During the legislative processes that was taking place to enact this law, a letter additionally emerged, of which Sihamoni had encouraged for all Cambodians to vote without intimidation ahead of the
2017 communal elections. Nonetheless, officials of the ruling CPP denied such speculation and insist that the King's trip were non-politically motivated. Similarly, in February 2018, about the
Lèse-majesté Law, which too had concerns expressed about it by various observers, speculation was fuelled again, when the King did not directly sign this legislation into law, due to a planned foreign trip. Some analysts maintained that this did not merely occur by chance, though others cautioned that such an assumption cannot be verified without actual official confirmation. Regardless, commentators noted that it added to a perception that Sihamoni tends to be overseas to avoid having to give his signature to highly contentious legislations and that such trips are supposedly timed, which then trigger a delegation of responsibility to the next constitutional office holder. It is theorized that the reason for this is that caught between the dilemmas of his position to concurrently not politically interfere and to also serve as a political guarantor, these absences are a way for the King to meet a middle ground through the "symbolic denial of royal legitimacy." However, the question still remains as to whether they constitute as "legitimate absences or absent legitimacy."
2018 elections and developments on 5 September 2018. In 2018, Sihamoni urged for Cambodians to vote in the national elections, notwithstanding calls made by exiled Opposition Leader
Sam Rainsy to resist such a move and for the public to boycott the election. After the year's
general election and
senate election, which saw the ruling CPP retaining power, winning virtually every seat in both houses of parliament, much to the consternation of members of the now-dissolved opposition, international observers and human rights groups, whom all voiced unease about the deteriorating state of political affairs in the country, not least, the lack of a viable opposition, Sihamoni convened the opening of the national legislature. He had urged parliamentarians in both the
National Assembly and
Senate to protect the rights of all Cambodians and seek ways to bring about national unity and in bettering the lives of the overall populace, whilst highlighting the nation's long path towards peace and development. Several Western countries boycotted the opening, but the King noted in his speech that the opening of parliament was nonetheless constitutionally mandated. Further, again at the request of the government, he has approved political clemency requests for several former members of the dissolved CNRP to participate in politics again, like for example in 2020, with respect to former
chief whip Son Chhay and in 2021, with
Pol Hom, who was a deputy party president. Both Chhay and Ham were amongst at least 32 former CNRP political figures, as of February 2022, that the King has politically rehabilitated. Sihamoni, also had granted a royal pardon for Rainsy's deputy and later successor,
Kem Sokha who had
defamation charges against him stemming from an alleged
adultery, though his separate
treason charge remained until he was convicted in early 2023. Aside from the CNRP related cases aforementioned, other high-profile pardons include that of land rights activist
Tep Vanny and Australian filmmaker
James Ricketson.
2022 elections and ASEAN summit In the
2022 communal elections, he reiterated his call for all eligible Cambodians to participate in the civic process by exercising their
right to vote, and to "not worry about oppression, threats or intimidation from any person or party at all", something that he had previously urged a few years back in the
2017 communal elections. Several political parties expressed appreciation for the King's public appeal. Later, at the interrelated 43rd General Assembly of the
ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, he further touched upon several topics. This included the centrality of
peace in relation to socio-economic development, healthcare and educational investment, concern regarding the
Myanmar conflict, the impact of increasing tensions between
global powers, the threat of
nuclear weapons,
climate change, and the lingering effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic.
2023 general election In February 2023, several months ahead of the
23 July general election, Sihamoni once again advocated, as he has done in prior years, for electoral participation amongst the public and for free elections to take place. His call was backed by the
National Election Committee whom urged the citizenry to heed the King's message, despite insinuations of bias levelled against him by former opposition leader
Rainsy. These claims were roundly rejected and condemned by government officials, including multiple cabinet
ministers. The election unsurprisingly resulted in the CPP's victory in which they retained their ruling majority in the legislature, though there was controversy involving the disqualification of the opposition
Candlelight Party by electoral authorities. On 26 July, just a few days after the election, Prime Minister
Hun Sen announced his intention to tender his resignation in favour of his son,
Hun Manet. Sen had an audience with Sihamoni at the Royal Palace who reportedly consented "in a formality" to his decision and for the transitional arrangements that was scheduled within August 2023 for Manet's and the new government's appointment. A
royal decree was formally issued on 7 August, tasking Manet with forming a new government for the seventh mandate and requesting confidence from the
National Assembly. In late August, he received the endorsement and confidence of the National Assembly to serve as
head of government. Subsequently, King Sihamoni officially appointed and swore in Manet as the second
Prime Minister of his reign along with the new
cabinet and members of parliament as well as officiating the inaugural opening for the new legislative term.
Philanthropy in
Sihanoukville in 2007. King Sihamoni's reign has been focused on the wellbeing of the
Khmer people. He has been described by some as a humble monarch because of his philanthropic endeavours and is well known for carrying out humanitarian activities. This can be seen through various examples such as in 2006, where when the relocation of one of the campuses of the
Royal University of Fine Arts caused an inconvenience to students and teachers, including posing safety concerns, he arranged for the donation of three
minibuses to assist with transportation. Another example was in the aftermath of the
2010 Phnom Penh stampede at
Koh Pich that saw hundreds killed and injured, where he reached out to the victims and their families, donating money to every household who had lost a family member in the incident, as well as financially supporting those who were injured. In 2016, he donated a record-breaking $6.5 million from the proceeds that was gained from the selling of the royal residence in
Koh Kong to the
Kantha Bopha Foundation, which oversees a group of nationally renowned children's hospitals. Furthermore, in 2018, upon learning of the plight of provincial people affected by flooding, he gave essential goods to over 500 families. At times, he has even assisted his fellow citizens first-hand during adverse events, such as venturing out into flooded areas and handing out goods to victims directly and was once reported to have requested for his
official state car to stop so he can give a blanket to an elderly Cambodian who he saw on the roadside. and has authorized royal grants for infrastructure, schools, orphanages, struggling communities, religious institutions, people affected by a disability, rehabilitation centres, mental health organizations, victims of violence, and sponsoring student's trips among others. His philanthropy extends in the international context as well, like for instance, after
Hurricane Katrina, the King made a personal good-will donation to victims of the storm. He has also donated towards multiple relief efforts after the occurrence of natural disasters in
China. Amidst the global
COVID-19 pandemic, King Sihamoni, alongside Queen Mother
Norodom Monineath has donated well over $1 million to the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to address the situation in Cambodia, inspiring a concerted public campaign across the country. Moreover, the King has made contributions in the provision of essential supplies, including donations of food, water and face masks to Cambodians severely impacted by
COVID-19. In July 2022, he contributed $500,000 towards ongoing
demining efforts in the nation, which is still plagued by problematic
landmines leftover from decades of conflict. In 2024, on the occasion of National Clean City Day, he publicly recognised and distributed goods to more than 2000 rubbish collectors for their work to upkeep the capital
Phnom Penh. In the same year, to commemorate the 161st Anniversary of
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, he and the Queen-Mother donated $100,000 to the
Cambodian Red Cross.
Cultural advocacy in
Phnom Penh with National Assembly President
Heng Samrin and Royal Palace Minister
Kong Sam Ol|210px Sihamoni remains an ardent advocate for Cambodian arts and culture. For instance, in 2006, when he was designated by the
International Theatre Institute as its "Message Author" for
International Dance Day, he extolled the symbolism and virtue of
dance, with reference to the
Royal Ballet of Cambodia. In September 2012, he presided over the opening of ''L'ombrello di Beatocello'', a documentary film by
Georges Gachot showcasing the life's work of famed Swiss pediatrician
Beat Richner and his contribution to Khmer society. Likewise, in February 2017, he did the same at the global
premiere of acclaimed Cambodian-based film
First They Killed My Father, documenting the experiences of
Loung Ung, a survivor of the
Khmer Rouge and directed by
Oscar-winning actress
Angelina Jolie, whom he had earlier hosted, along with her family, at
The Royal Residence in
Siem Reap prior to the occasion. In March 2023, as part of the 12th Cambodian International Film Festival, he presided over the premiere screening for
The Perfect Motion, a film directed by
Xavier de Lauzanne, which explored the progression of the kingdom's Royal Ballet and one of the interlinked works by Princess
Norodom Buppha Devi. The King is a strong proponent of
Buddhism and of the
integral place it maintains in the cultural life of the Khmer nation, and he usually officiates key festivals on the
Buddhist calendar. Moreover, he supports the work of the country's
Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts whom reportedly engages regularly in consultations with him on advancing their overall strategic agenda. Additionally, as King, he presides over the annual
Bon Om Touk, a major festive cultural event on the yearly calendar with ancient roots dating back to the
Khmer Empire, in conjunction with other traditionally important national events like for example,
Independence Day, the
Royal Ploughing Ceremony, and
Khmer New Year. He also presided over the torch lighting ceremony in March 2023 at
Angkor Wat marking the start of the torch relay for the
32nd Southeast Asian Games that was held in
Phnom Penh that same year in May. Furthermore, Sihamoni has been commended for his dedication to archaeological preservation, conservation and research, with specificity to Cambodia. In particular, as Honorary President of ICC-
Angkor (International Coordination Committee for the Safeguarding and Development of Historic Site of Angkor), King Sihamoni places special emphasis on the efforts to protect this
national symbol and
treasure, engaging frequently with the body's work through fulfilling representative functions or routine briefings given directly to him or via a delegated senior representative. In 2011, he attended the completion ceremony pertaining to restoration works at the
Baphuon historical temple in
Angkor. In late 2021, he championed Cambodia's bid for the proposed inclusion of
Koh Ker, an ancient Khmer archaeological site, alongside
Bokator, one of the kingdom's oldest
martial arts on the UNESCO
Intangible cultural heritage and
World Heritage Site lists. The eventual outcome resulted in both being successfully inscribed on to their respective listings. In November 2023, the King inaugurated the formal ceremonies to commemorate the completion of restorative works for the western causeway into
Angkor Wat and its reopening, which was closed for several years due to its deteriorating condition.
Overseas visits in
Tokyo, Japan on 22 October 2019. In the international arena, Sihamoni's first official foreign trip as King was to
China in 2004, where he met with
President Hu Jintao, indicative of a strong friendship long established from the days of his
father between China and the Cambodian royal family. Here, he routinely also undertakes yearly health-related visits, usually to
Beijing and have formal
courtesy calls with members of
China's political leadership. In 2011 he declined to attend the
royal wedding of then
Catherine Middleton and
Prince William, which some
British tabloids headlined as a "snub." This was quickly refuted by
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials who informed that a declination notification was indeed advised and that no snub occurred whatsoever. In 2015, he attended the
United Nations COP21 summit, and gave an impassioned speech highlighting the impact of the
climate crisis on Cambodia and urging international efforts on this front to be expedited. He represented Cambodia at the 2019 Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) in
Beijing aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and intercultural exchange. Other notable trips include to
Japan, where he was the first Cambodian sovereign since the monarchical restoration of the 1990s to visit, his "second homeland" of the
Czech Republic where he spent his childhood, a landmark state visit to
India, and
France, Cambodia's former colonial power.
Public image In contrast to his father, former King
Norodom Sihanouk's "mercurial" and outspoken reign, commentators note that Sihamoni has maintained a relatively "low-key" profile, with his tenure being characterized by an award-winning article of
The Phnom Penh Post as being "Reign of the quiet king." Nonetheless, leading national leaders across the political spectrum recognize the King as a unifying force in Cambodian society.
Prime Minister Hun Sen gave praise to Sihamoni for honourably carrying out his role as a "symbol of national unity, stability, happiness and prosperity", noting his
humanitarianism, as well as efforts in strengthening national prestige and fostering a "spirit of solidarity" amongst Cambodians. Similarly, de facto Leader of the Opposition
Sam Rainsy, shares this sentiment, welcoming his ability to bring people together in the national interest, although amid internal political developments that is seen as indicative of
democratic backsliding, this view held by Rainsy has not always been consistent. Thus, it is within this juxtaposition, from a
power politics analytical standpoint, including on the limits and extent of
constitutional monarchism and given the
political polarization, that there are often divergent perspectives concerning the King, between those who implore for his active
politicism and those who advocate he sustain his guarded
apoliticism. commends him as a "dedicated servant of his people" that is "cultured and disciplined", The latter can be attributed in part due to competing power structures whereby there were periods of past historical tensions between some members of the royal family and the
executive branch. Prominent Cambodian history professor
Sambo Manara credits Sihamoni as a "morale model" for all
Khmer people whom exudes a calm and kind demeanor, underscored by a sincere warmth towards his subjects, notwithstanding some misconceived notions about the King's role from within some sectors of the population, in particular, the youth demographic. Reflecting after a royal audience with the King in 2013, then
International Monetary Fund Managing Director
Christine Lagarde expressed how she was profoundly touched by his "thoughtfulness and compassion" and how he "not only cares deeply about the welfare of his people, but is clearly passionately devoted to promoting the cultural and artistic heritage of his country." On the occasion of his 68th birthday,
ASEAN described King Sihamoni as a monarch who is "cherished and well-respected by the people of Cambodia" and as someone who exemplifies "dignified and humbled leadership", characterized by his frequent engagements with the populace through local visitations. The King's birthday on 14 May in conjunction with his coronation day on 29 October are both annual public holidays in Cambodia and in 2019, a special commemorative 15,000
riel was issued in his honour, celebrating the 15th anniversary of his tenure as sovereign. Sihamoni is also featured on the 200, 500, 2,000, 10,000, 20,000 and 100,000 riels respectively and his portrait, alongside the
King-father and
Queen-mother is prominent across many parts of the country, illustrative of their highly revered status.
Lèse-majesté In February 2018, the
penal code was formally revised to incorporate
lèse-majesté legislation, which makes it an offence to insult the king, pursuant to its promulgation by Cambodia's
National Assembly and
Senate, and the law came into effect the following month.
Human rights groups had voiced concerns that the law may be potentially used to suppress political opponents of the government and considered it to be incompatible with respect to the
freedom of speech, though the
Ministry of Justice maintains that the law is necessary in protecting the monarchy from people who push the boundaries of said freedom. After this law was enacted, there have been seldom arrests, charges and convictions, with the most notable case being that of Opposition Leader
Sam Rainsy. == Personal life ==