Prime Minister Hun Manet clarified that he has never used the national budget to boost his Facebook page, stating that it is funded by his personal money.
“I don’t want to talk about it. I’ve already had my spokesman explain it, yet there is still criticism about the boosting of my Facebook page. Last night, I saw a social analyst comment on it. It’s not that he doesn’t understand, but he’s just pretending not to understand.”
“As for boosting my Facebook, whether it’s necessary or unnecessary, it’s none of your business. Facebook is my personal account, not the state’s, like the National Television of Cambodia. I have the right to boost my page and post whatever I want.”
“As a political leader, I need to communicate with my people, and they need to know about me. Apart from speaking on programs, I can also communicate through my Facebook page, something I’ve done long before I became Prime Minister.”
He pointed out that he is not the only leader who uses Facebook to boost their page. Political leaders worldwide also use such methods. For example, US President Donald Trump spent $134 million on Facebook boosting between 2018 and 2024, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. spent $20 million during the 2020 election. Other ASEAN leaders also use Facebook and TikTok to boost their pages.
“I have never used even a single riel from the national budget for Facebook boosting. Some claim the money is wasted and doesn’t help the people. Let me tell you again: I help my people a lot.”
