In his first message to the nation, King Norodom Sihamoni promised Friday to remain politically neutral and to serve the country, but also expressed apprehension about his new role.
“I am afraid and concerned of not fulfilling the duty effectively because I lack experience,” King Sihamoni wrote in a letter posted on the Web site of his father, retired King Norodom Sihanouk.
King Sihamoni was named heir to the throne by the Royal Council of the Throne on Thursday. His coronation ceremony is scheduled for Oct 29. He and his father are scheduled to return to Cambodia from Beijing Tuesday.
In his letter, King Sihamoni asked for guidance from the country’s two top monks, Tep Vong and Bou Kry, as well as Senate President Chea Sim, National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh and Prime Minister Hun Sen.
As many observers earlier anticipated, King Sihamoni also said that his father will be his adviser. In a separate letter addressed to his father on Friday, King Sihamoni said he never imagined he would be king.
“I never anticipated that I would have the fortune to stay in the throne as the monarch. I only thought [of myself] as a son of the King, to follow the King’s example,” he said.
Last week, those who know King Sihamoni described him as a modest man, who, while in France, lived alone in a small bachelor apartment and often used public transportation.
As outlined in the 1993 Constitution, King Sihamoni is expected to take on the role of Cambodia’s head of state, as well as supreme commander of RCAF, and “shall reign but shall not govern.”
Some observers questioned whether the limited powers granted to a king would enable King Sihamoni to fulfill his duties to protect human rights and national integrity, and take responsibility over the country’s judges.
Citing the government’s crackdown on public protest over the past year and a half, Kek Galabru, founder of rights group Licadho, said: “Right now, the government has abused the right to demonstrate so how can the King help us because he has no power?”
Senior CPP lawmaker Cheam Yeap, however, said the King has sufficient authority. “The King has power, only he doesn’t hold it directly,” he said Sunday. “The King can advise the government.”
