Negative Campaign: It will not work!

Negative Campaign: It will not work!

Let’s hope that Cambodian political campaigns are more about serious issues and not about who can scream the loudest or who can curse better. However, until now leaders of the oppositions as well as the ruling party are trying to outshout each other hoping to win voters’ attention, to show their power or perhaps in order to gain their respect.

Besides the shouting matches, the oppositions somehow do not like President Obama to visit Cambodia. Many people think that they shoot themselves in the foot.

Obama’s visit should be encouraged. Let him see the truth and judge Hun Sen’s regime on his own. The oppositions should not be worried or fearful about the visit of any leaders of the world. The culture of trying to stop any leader from visiting Cambodia should be discontinued. It is backfired. There are other ways to bring our concerns to them. Disorganized demonstrations against political leaders or random petitions only show how week the oppositions are and for many years they have not been helpful.

Shouting, cursing, demonstrating and petitioning may not earn much respect from the world’s leaders as well as from the Cambodian people. Good leaders gain respect by the manner they conduct themselves. Good morality is among other behaviors that the world and Cambodian people want to see. Negative attitudes repel supporters.

Perhaps it is time for the leaders of oppositions to change themselves first before declaring that they can change Cambodia. They must demonstrate to the people that they care about them, about Cambodia and about their supporters. They must show that they will always look out for people’s interests, not their own interests. Living in a luxurious villa while the people are hungry is a bad example to be a leader. Fooling around with people’s money is a destructive behavior.

A good officer always makes sure that the troops are provided for before he takes care of his own needs. If you ever expect to have authority over others, you must first prove yourself worthy. If you look to gain respect you must respect others, including your opponents. Remember, negativity repels. 

Timothy Chhim

09-30-12