On Thursday, the eldest son of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was given the official rank of four-star general, a further indication that plans are in place for him to succeed his father.
Publicly, Hun Sen has endorsed Hun Manet’s candidacy to lead the kingdom in the future.
At a ceremony attended by over 1,000 senior military officials, army commander Hun Manet was awarded the four-star rank.
The ceremony was presided over by Defense Minister Tea Banh, who stated that Hun Manet’s promotion reflected his efforts to “serve the nation, military, and Cambodian people.”
Hun Manet, who received his education in both the United Kingdom and the United States, has the official backing of the ruling party as a potential prime minister. In recent months, he has been active on social media to raise his public profile.
The 45-year-old has likewise had more conciliatory gatherings with senior political figures than previously, as per the Lowy Establishment’s Asia Power File.
