Government Denies Rumors of Hun Sen Stroke

Senior officials and sources close to Prime Minister Hun Sen vigorously denied rumors Sunday that he had suffered a severe stroke and been rushed for treatment in Singapore.

Rumors drew steam across social media Sunday, with users passing along reports that Mr. Hun Sen experienced a massive stroke on Friday afternoon and had been rushed to Calmette Hospital before being sent to Singapore for further medical treatment.

“It’s not true and he is just relaxing in Phnom Penh,” said Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan. “It is just a rumor. He is OK and he continues his activity as normal.”

Asked why the Council of Ministers did not convene a weekly Cabinet meeting on Friday, Mr. Siphan said government ministers had nothing to talk about.

“We had nothing to review,” he said. “The proposed laws have been reviewed.”

Chhuor Kimny, border police chief at the Phnom Penh International Airport, said the prime minister had not passed through the airport’s gates all weekend.

“No highranking official has flown to Singapore for medical treatment,” he said.

Several members of the Prime Minister’s Bodyguard Unit, who declined to be named because they are not authorized to speak to the media, similarly denied the rumors.

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy, however, insisted that the information was on good authority.

“It is reported that he is very ill and went to Singapore,” he said. “He had a massive stroke. He went to Calmette on Friday and then to Singapore.”

Asked the source of his information, Mr. Rainsy said: “Internal sources in the CPP. And now it is being said online.”

(Additional reporting by Alex Willemyns)

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