Hun Manet

Manet was born on 20 October 1977 in Koh Thmar village, Memot District, Kampong Cham Province, in the Khmer Rouge-ruled Democratic Kampuchea as the second son of Hun Sen and Bun Rany.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-22 |title=Hun Manet: Walking his father's path into Cambodia's top job |url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/hun-manet-walking-his-fathers-path-into-cambodias-top-job-1.1692680132147 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=gulfnews.com |language=en |archive-date=23 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823004654/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/hun-manet-walking-his-fathers-path-into-cambodias-top-job-1.1692680132147 |url-status=live }} He is of Teochew Chinese heritage through his grandfather Hun Neang.Forest (2008), p. 178 "Sino-khmer originaire du district de Krauch Chmar 140, Hun Sèn descend par ses grands-parents paternels d'une famille de propriétaires terriens qui paraît correspondre au stéréotype du Chinois – téochiew ? – implanté en zone rurale, c'est-à-dire aisée mais sans pouvoir administratif. Par sa mère, il descendrait inversement d'une tête de réseau....."Time, Volume 136 (1990), p. 329 Beijing has not softened its hostility toward Hun Sen, but there are subtle signs that China may yet shift its position. Some officials now mention that Hun Sen's grandfather was Chinese, seeming to hint at the possibility of a new.... According to Sen, on the night of Manet's birth, a bright light flew over the roof of the house leading Sen to believe that his son was born from a supernatural being worshipped in Koh Thmar village.{{cite news |title=Hun Sen Tells of Eldest Son's Supernatural Arrival |url=http://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/hun-sen-tells-of-eldest-sons-supernatural-arrival-21752/ |publisher=The Cambodia Daily |author=Vannarin, Neou |date=3 May 2013 |access-date=22 June 2014 |archive-date=4 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904232538/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/hun-sen-tells-of-eldest-sons-supernatural-arrival-21752/ |url-status=dead }}

Manet grew up and received his general education in Phnom Penh and later joined the RCAF in 1995, the same year he entered the United States Military Academy. Having received his diploma in May 1999, he became the first Cambodian academy graduate and one of only seven foreign cadets to graduate that year. Upon graduation from West Point, he received his bachelor's degree in economics and a commission as a lieutenant in the Royal Cambodian Army. He also received a master's degree in economics from New York University in 2002 and a PhD in economics from the University of Bristol in 2009. His doctoral thesis was titled "What determines the firm size distribution and structural integration? A cross-county study".{{cite web |title=What determines the firm size distribution and structural integration? A cross-county study |url=https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500421 |website=E-Theses Online Service |access-date=21 July 2023 |archive-date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721114118/https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.500421 |url-status=live }}

File:20220216 hyoukei 11.jpg in Tokyo, 16 February 2022.]]

Manet joined the RCAF in 1995, the same year he entered the United States Military Academy. He became a major general in January 2011, just months after being named deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Army and deputy chief of the RCAF Joint Staff.{{cite web|url=http://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/hun-sens-second-son-in-meteoric-rise-through-rcaf-ranks-1560/|title=Hun Sen's Second Son In Meteoric Rise Through RCAF Ranks|publisher=The Cambodia Daily|first1=Saing|last1=Soenthrith|first2=Paul|last2=Vrieze|date=30 January 2012|access-date=1 June 2014|archive-date=21 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221105224/https://www.cambodiadaily.com/archives/hun-sens-second-son-in-meteoric-rise-through-rcaf-ranks-1560/|url-status=dead}} Manet played a prominent role in negotiations during the 2008 Cambodian–Thai stand-off. He became a lieutenant general in June 2013{{cite web |url=http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/election-02222013203358.html |title=Election List May Widen Divide in Hun Sen's Party |publisher=Radio Free Asia |date=22 February 2013 |access-date=22 June 2014 |archive-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151123215645/http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/election-02222013203358.html |url-status=live }} and was later promoted to a four-star general in July 2018, coinciding with his new responsibilities as deputy commander-in-chief of the RCAF.{{Cite news|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-manet-now-four-star-general|title=Hun Manet is now a four-star General|last=Vichea|first=Pang|date=2 July 2018|work=Phnom Penh Post|access-date=7 September 2018|language=en|archive-date=7 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144605/https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-manet-now-four-star-general|url-status=live}} His younger brother, Hun Manith, also serves in the RCAF, as a brigadier general. On 20 April 2023, Manet was officially promoted to four-star general. Minister of Defence Tea Banh described Manet's promotion as a reflection of his efforts to "serve the nation, military and Cambodian people".{{cite web|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-hun-sen-son-hun-manet-promotion-four-star-general-3431391?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_21042023_cna|title=Cambodia PM Hun Sen's son becomes four-star general|website=CNA|date=20 April 2023|access-date=21 April 2023|archive-date=20 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420183325/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodia-hun-sen-son-hun-manet-promotion-four-star-general-3431391?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_21042023_cna|url-status=dead}}

On 30 June 2018, weeks before the parliamentary elections, Hun Sen appointed Manet to higher military positions in a bid to prepare his son for the premiership when he retired from politics or died, effectively solidifying the Hun political dynasty in Cambodia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/cambodian-strongmans-son-assumes-powerful-military-roles|title=Cambodian strongman's son assumes powerful military roles|date=30 June 2018|website=The Straits Times|access-date=2 February 2021|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702150815/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/cambodian-strongmans-son-assumes-powerful-military-roles|url-status=live}} Hun Sen had mentioned Manet as his potential successor.{{cite news |url=https://www.voacambodia.com/a/hun-sen-says-son-is-possible-future-leader-of-cambodia/4604519.html |title=Hun Sen Says Son Is 'Possible Future Leader' of Cambodia |publisher=Voice of America |date=9 October 2018 |access-date=11 October 2018 |archive-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204104216/https://www.voacambodia.com/a/hun-sen-says-son-is-possible-future-leader-of-cambodia/4604519.html |url-status=live }}

In June 2020, Manet was promoted to head of the CPP's youth wing.{{cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50731568/cpp-promotes-hun-manet-to-lead-partys-youth-wing/|title=CPP promotes Hun Manet to lead party's youth wing|first=Khuon|last=Narim|work=Khmer Times|date=8 June 2020|access-date=18 June 2020|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135414/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50731568/cpp-promotes-hun-manet-to-lead-partys-youth-wing/|url-status=live}}

He had been mentioned by both media outlets and Hun Sen himself as a candidate for prime minister.{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/hun-manet-the-next-prime-minister-of-cambodia/|title=Hun Manet: The Next Prime Minister of Cambodia?|first=David|last=Hutt|publisher=The Diplomat|date=8 June 2019|access-date=30 August 2019|archive-date=4 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004023704/https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/hun-manet-the-next-prime-minister-of-cambodia/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-manet-can-be-prime-minister-if-he-elected-says-hun-sen/|title=Hun Manet can be prime minister if he is elected, says Hun Sen|first=Sokhean|last=Ben|work=The Phnom Penh Post|date=25 October 2018|access-date=30 August 2019|archive-date=30 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830013644/https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/hun-manet-can-be-prime-minister-if-he-elected-says-hun-sen/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50981136/pm-hun-sen-declares-his-support-for-his-son-hun-manet-to-succeed-him-as-prime-minister/|title=PM Hun Sen declares his support for his son Hun Manet to succeed him as Prime Minister|work=Khmer Times|date=2 December 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135416/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50981136/pm-hun-sen-declares-his-support-for-his-son-hun-manet-to-succeed-him-as-prime-minister/|url-status=live}} On 4 December 2021, Manet was unanimously elected by the CPP Central Committee to be the party's future candidate for prime minister after Hun Sen, making him the prime minister-in-waiting.{{Cite news|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50994699/hun-manet-unanimously-elected-to-be-the-future-prime-minister/|title=Hun Manet unanimously elected to be the future Prime Minister|work=Khmer Times|date=24 December 2021|access-date=24 December 2021|archive-date=26 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726090724/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50994699/hun-manet-unanimously-elected-to-be-the-future-prime-minister/|url-status=live}}

On 7 August 2023, King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree appointing Manet as Prime Minister of Cambodia and commissioning Manet to form a cabinet.

Shortly after his rise to the premiership, Manet hosted a Charles Yang from the Universal Peace Federation, a South Korean organization started by Unification Church founder Sun Myung Moon, at the Peace Palace.{{Cite web |last=Sokhean |first=Ben |date=2023-11-21 |title=UPF praises Hun Sen for bringing peace to Kingdom |url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501395412/upf-praises-hun-sen-for-bringing-peace-to-kingdom |url-status= |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=19 March 2025 |website=Khmer Times}}

File:20240305-ASEANAU-welcome-ph3.jpg leaders and Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Summit in Melbourne, 5 March 2024.]]

File:Hun Manet and Bongbong Marcos in Manila.jpg in Manila, 11 February 2025.]]

Hun Sen publicly announced his endorsement of Manet's candidacy for prime minister for the first time in December 2021. Although Manet never publicly expressed interest in the role, he received strong support from several government ministers and party members as well as the influential CPP Standing Committee.{{Cite news|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50982927/support-for-hun-manet-as-next-pm-continues-to-grow/|title=Support for Hun Manet as next PM continues to grow|work=Khmer Times|first=Ben|last=Sokhean|date=6 December 2021|access-date=9 December 2021|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135538/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50982927/support-for-hun-manet-as-next-pm-continues-to-grow/|url-status=live}} Hun Sen stressed, however, that succession would not take place until after the 2028 election.

Manet stood as a first-ranked candidate in Phnom Penh for the National Assembly in the 2023 general election, a requirement to be appointed prime minister.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501266284/hun-manet-officially-becomes-a-candidate-for-member-of-parliament/|title=Hun Manet officially becomes a candidate for Member of Parliament|work=Khmer Times|date=1 April 2023|access-date=2 May 2023|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135926/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501266284/hun-manet-officially-becomes-a-candidate-for-member-of-parliament/|url-status=live}} Three days after the election in which the CPP claimed a landslide victory, Hun Sen announced his resignation and confirmed that Manet would be the new prime minister. The new cabinet was sworn in on 22 August. The election was widely criticized by international observers as being held in a restrictive political environment and neither free nor fair; the main opposition party was disqualified two months before the election, and an opposition leader was imprisoned.{{Cite web |last=Chen |first=Heather |date=2023-07-21 |title=One of the world's longest serving leaders is set to win another one-sided election |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/asia/cambodia-2023-election-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2023-08-03 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810125658/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/21/asia/cambodia-2023-election-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Cambodia: Statement by the Spokesperson on the general elections {{!}} EEAS |url=https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/cambodia-statement-spokesperson-general-elections_en |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.eeas.europa.eu |archive-date=1 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801152806/https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/cambodia-statement-spokesperson-general-elections_en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Matthew |date=2023-07-23 |title=National Elections in Cambodia |url=https://www.state.gov/national-elections-in-cambodia/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724020814/https://www.state.gov/national-elections-in-cambodia/ |archive-date=2023-07-24 |access-date=2023-07-24 |website=United States Department of State |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=FCDO statement on Cambodian elections |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fcdo-statement-on-cambodian-elections |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=GOV.UK |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807031042/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/fcdo-statement-on-cambodian-elections |url-status=live }} On 7 August, King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree officially nominating Manet as the new prime minister. He invited Manet to form a new government for the seventh mandate, subject to a vote of confidence from the National Assembly on 22 August.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501338312/king-issues-a-royal-decree-appointing-his-excellency-dr-hun-manet-as-prime-minister-of-cambodia/|title=King issues a Royal Decree appointing His Excellency Dr. Hun Manet as Prime Minister of Cambodia|work=Khmer Times|date=7 August 2023|access-date=7 August 2023|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135925/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501338312/king-issues-a-royal-decree-appointing-his-excellency-dr-hun-manet-as-prime-minister-of-cambodia/|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Cambodia: PM's son Hun Manet appointed next ruler in royal formality |work=BBC News |date=7 August 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66391334 |access-date=7 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807061243/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66391334 |url-status=live }} Manet's cabinet was confirmed unanimously by the National Assembly on 22 August.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501347195/king-issues-royal-decree-appointing-new-council-of-ministers-with-he-dr-hun-manet-as-prime-minister/|title=King issues Royal Decree appointing new Council of Ministers with HE Dr. Hun Manet as Prime Minister|work=Khmer Times|date=22 August 2023|access-date=22 August 2023|archive-date=30 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135933/https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501347195/king-issues-royal-decree-appointing-new-council-of-ministers-with-he-dr-hun-manet-as-prime-minister/|url-status=live}} In February 2024, Manet promoted his younger brother Hun Many to deputy prime minister alongside his current role as civil service minister.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/hun-many-manith-manet-sen-nepotism-9f70d85a2668384ab1efeb82782c3f8f|title=Cambodia’s new prime minister wins lawmakers’ approval for his youngest brother to become his deputy|work=Associated Press|date=21 February 2024|access-date=8 March 2024}}

One of Manet's official acts as prime minister was to ban musical truck horns in March 2024, saying he was disturbed by “dancing on the street to the musical beats of big cars”.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/21/no-dancing-in-the-streets-why-has-cambodia-banned-musical-vehicle-horns |title=‘No dancing in the streets’: Why has Cambodia banned musical vehicle horns? |work=Al Jazeera|date=21 March 2024|access-date=21 March 2024}} Manet also instructed authorities to upgrade rail transport across Cambodia.{{Cite web |title=Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track |url=https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/manet-calls-cambodias-railways-get-back-track |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Phnom Penh Post |language=en}} On 5 August 2024, his administration launched the controversial Funan Techo Canal Project which would link the Mekong River to Cambodia's coast, significantly reducing the country's reliance on Vietnamese ports.{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240805-cambodia-pm-launches-project-linking-mekong-river-to-sea-via-canal-1|title=Cambodia PM launches project linking Mekong river to sea via canal|work=France 24|date=5 August 2024|accessdate=21 August 2024}} The Cambodia–Laos–Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) has also come under public scrutiny over concerns that four of the country's provinces would be ceded to its neighbours.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/arrests-protests-clv-08192024154854.html|title=Cambodia arrests 30 amid warnings over anti-CLV demonstrations|work=Radio Free Asia|date=19 August 2024|accessdate=23 August 2024}} Cambodia eventually withdrew from CLV-DTA on 23 September.{{Cite web|url=https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501563909/cambodia-formally-withdraws-from-clv-dta-agreement/|title=Cambodia formally withdraws from CLV-DTA agreement|work=Khmer Times|date=23 September 2024|accessdate=3 October 2024}}

Hun Manet is married to Pich Chanmony, the daughter of Pich Sophoan, a former secretary of state at the Ministry of Labour.{{Cite news |last1=Turton |first1=Shaun |last2=Phak |first2=Seangly |date=6 July 2016 |title=Inside the Hun family's business empire |language=en |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1029801/inside-the-hun-familys-business-empire |access-date=9 March 2023 |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830135952/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/special-reports/1029801/inside-the-hun-familys-business-empire |url-status=live }}

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• Political family
• Nepotism
• Kleptocracy

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{{Prime ministers of Cambodia}}

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{{Current ASEAN Leaders}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:People from Kampong Cham province

Category:People from Tboung Khmum province

Category:Prime ministers of Cambodia

Manet

Manet

Category:Cambodian People's Party politicians

Category:Cambodian generals

Category:Cambodian Buddhists

Category:Cambodian nationalists

Category:Cambodian people of Chinese descent

Category:Cambodian politicians of Chinese descent

Category:Children of prime ministers of Cambodia

Category:Members of the National Assembly (Cambodia)

Category:Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Cambodia

Category:Alumni of the University of Bristol

Category:New York University alumni

Category:United States Military Academy alumni

Category:21st-century military personnel

Category:21st-century economists

Category:21st-century Cambodian politicians