Shortly after Senate President Hun Sen revealed a recording of a planned attack on his residence, inter-ministerial guidelines were issued on Friday regarding the regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones.
The statement was jointly issued by the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the Secretariat of State for Civil Aviation.
Article 1 of this inter-ministerial declaration delineates the framework for data management, outlines prohibited areas, and establishes guidelines for the utilisation of UAVs.
Additionally, it stipulates security measures pertaining to drone operations aimed at ensuring security, maintaining public order, and promoting social safety within the Cambodia.
This inter-ministerial declaration pertains to drones capable of carrying a payload of two kilogrammes or more. However, it specifically excludes drones utilised for national defence and security purposes, which are addressed in a separate legal framework.
It also outlined the conditions for operating the UAVs, requiring operators to be at least 18 years old and to fly only between 6 am and 6 pm, with special permission required outside these hours.
Operators must be aware of local weather, avoid flying over private property or crowds without consent, and refrain from photography that identifies individuals.
Flights are prohibited over emergency sites and law enforcement operations, as well as in restricted areas and near watercraft without permission. No more than four UAVs may operate simultaneously without authorisation, and operators are accountable for their actions, it added.
They must not carry hazardous materials or fly impaired, with violations potentially leading to legal action.
Touch Sokhak, the Interior Ministry’s spokesman, could not be reached for comments yesterday.
On Tuesday, Mr Hun Sen stated that terrorists have been planning a drone attack on his residence in Takhmao city in recent weeks with the intent to kill him.
Although he did not identify people behind the plot, his revelation comes amid opposition groups abroad announcing the formation of a government in exile and inciting efforts to overthrow the government.
On Friday, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Prak Sokhonn also called on foreign governments to cooperate in combatting terrorism, following an alleged assassination attempt on Mr Hun Sen.
In his statement dated Friday, Sokhonn condemned the reported plot, which involved the use of drones to attack Mr Hun Sen’s residence, unveiled last week by Mr Hun Sen himself.
He described the act as “a grave terrorist offence” and urged all nations to support Cambodia’s efforts in holding the perpetrators accountable.
“We call on foreign governments that are providing shelter to these terrorists to cooperate with the Cambodian authorities in preventing and combatting such threats,” the statement read.
Sokhonn stressed that any attempt on the life of Cambodia’s leadership posed not only a national security threat but also a potential source of regional instability.
The minister urged international partners to take a firm stance against individuals and groups involved in acts of terrorism, warning that their continued presence in foreign jurisdictions could undermine global security efforts.
He also emphasised that Cambodia would not tolerate external interference in its security affairs and vowed to pursue justice against those behind the attack plot.
“All acts of terrorism, regardless of the perpetrators or their motives, must be met with decisive action,” he added.
