Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 28 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen refused to accept a letter of apology from vice president of the Candlelight Party Son Chhay, who accused the Cambodian People’s Party of stealing ballots at the 5th mandate communal election.

"We do not accept the apology. We want to end the culture of defamation and insults. We cannot accept the accusation that we are the ones who stole the ballots. We received plenty of apologies, yet the case is still happening. Therefore, apologize in court,” the premier wrote on his Facebook on Tuesday (Feb. 28).

Samdech also recalled convict Sam Rainsy's apology and yet Rainsy still continued to defame him.

On February 13, 2023, Son Chhay wrote a letter to premier Hun Sen apologizing for his previous remarks.

"I, Son Chhay, never intended to accuse the CPP or the National Election Committee (NEC) of stealing votes, and I do not intend to accuse the CPP as a thief to steal ballot in the future. If the CPP or the NEC considers in the interview that I accused one of stealing the ballot, I apologize.”
=FRESH NEWS