(Pursat): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet dismissed claims that the issuance of new 50,000- and 100,000-riel banknotes reflects a government cash shortage.

Speaking on Thursday (Oct. 1) at the inauguration of National Road No. 10 in Pursat province, the premier said the redesigned notes feature enhanced security measures to prevent counterfeiting and will gradually replace damaged banknotes.

“Please do not worry, the state has not run out of money,” Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet said, noting that the two denominations have been in circulation for over a decade.

According to the National Bank of Cambodia, approximately 435 million old banknotes were destroyed and replaced between May and September 2026. The new banknotes entered circulation on September 25 alongside existing notes of the same denominations.

On the occasion, Samdech Thipadei also cited continued salary payments to civil servants and armed forces personnel as evidence against claims of a cash shortage.
=FRESH NEWS