Hun Sen assured of victory as Cambodia goes to poll tomorrow

13 Sept 08:36 Key points summarised by AI

Cambodia's upcoming election is widely condemned as a "sham" by opposition parties and international bodies, designed to extend Prime Minister Hun Sen's 33-year rule.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) declared the election "not genuine," citing the arbitrary dissolution of the main opposition party (CNRP) and a crackdown on independent media and free speech.
Key international players, including the European Union, United States, Japan, and Australia, have refused to send observers, indicating a lack of trust in the election's legitimacy.
Hun Sen defended his actions, stating he took legal action to eliminate "traitors" who attempted to overthrow the government by disbanding the opposition party.
Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy called for a boycott of the election, launching the "clean finger" campaign to protest the lack of genuine democratic choice.

Detained Suu Kyi receives UK royal package: Myanmar govt

Today 03:08 Key points summarised by AI

Myanmar's detained Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, received a package from Britain's King Charles III, which included two gardening books, a sealed envelope, and diplomatic communication.
The event marked the first release of images of Suu Kyi in two months and saw Myanmar authorities describe her as a "special female prisoner" for the first time.
Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a 2021 military coup that triggered an ongoing civil war, remains under house arrest on charges that rights groups contend are politically motivated.