PHNOM PENH: Two of the Kingdom’s top officials have raised concerns about online security challenges in 2025, identifying internet fraud as a major issue among several threats that require heightened attention from the National Police.

The concerns were articulated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Deputy Prime Minister Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, in separate letters addressed to the National Police on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of National Police Day, to be held on Friday (May 16).

Manet, while acknowledging the numerous achievements of the National Police and commending their efforts in maintaining security across Cambodia, also highlighted the evolving global situation.

He noted that the world is likely to face increasingly complex and unpredictable developments, with new challenges emerging that could impact Cambodia’s political stability, security and public order.

Despite the continued peace enjoyed by the Kingdom, Manet pointed out the growing threat posed by new types of crime, including non-traditional offenses, technology-related crimes and organised criminal activities.

He emphasised that these challenges underscore the critical need to ensure security and societal safety, which are foundational to the first phase of his Pentagonal Strategy, the seventh-mandate government’s national development framework.

He called on police officers at all levels to intensify their efforts with a strong sense of national conscience, dedication, and sacrifice.

“I have great hope and firm confidence in the patriotic spirit, love for the homeland and loyalty of all our National Police officers,” Manet stated.

He expressed satisfaction with their efforts and pledged continued support, both in spirit and resources, to ensure the police remain a high-quality, effective and prestigious law enforcement force.

Echoing similar concerns, Sokha noted that 2025 and the years ahead will continue to be marked by a complex and unpredictable global environment.

He cited factors such as geopolitical competition, military dominance by major powers, ongoing wars, and ethnic and religious conflicts in various regions as contributing to this uncertainty.

He also highlighted a rise in cross-border criminal activities, particularly technology-related crimes, which he believed have varying degrees of impact on Cambodia.

While expressing confidence that Cambodia is on track to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, he acknowledged that lingering and emerging challenges could negatively affect national security and public order.

Among the issues he identified were the “toxic schemes” of opposition groups that continue to harbour ambitions of overthrowing the government through colour-revolution tactics, as well as crimes such as theft, robbery, drug trafficking, human trafficking and, notably, the rise of internet fraud.

“These issues are directly tied to the responsibilities of the National Police,” he said.

He emphasised the need for a conscientious approach to collectively safeguard peace, national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and public order.

“The National Police at all levels must remain constantly vigilant in fulfilling their duties with conscience and professionalism, working together to protect peace, independence, national sovereignty, territorial integrity, ensure security, public order and societal safety, safeguard national achievements, elevate national honour and prestige, and serve the people with loyalty,” he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN