Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was charged with 15,000 riel (Rs.250) fine for not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle during his visit to the Koh Kong province last week. The motorcycle was also found to be without a number plate.
The traffic police officer who fined the leader said,
“He didn’t do something wrong seriously, just didn’t wear a helmet and the motorcycle had no number-plate. So I had to fine him to follow the traffic law.”
He further added,
“I have a role to enforce the traffic law for everyone properly. So whether you are powerful, poor, rich, small or high-ranking, if you break the law, you must be punished the same by the law.”
On his Facebook page, he apologized after photos and videos of his ride drew criticism. He told reporters that even as prime minister he could not cite parliamentary immunity to avoid punishment.
The Cambodian PM, turned up at the police station later to pay his fine for riding a two-wheeler without helmet and no number plate. He arrived on another motorcycle, accompanied by his bodyguards on other bikes.
He said, “I hope that all people in Cambodia, regardless of whether poor, rich or powerful, whenever they committed wrongdoing against the law, they will face equal punishment before the law.”
We wish to see similar law enforcement and adherence from Indian government.
