Signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet, the sub-decree said the move was to respond to the sacred desire of the Cambodian people who love peace and hate war.
“December 29th 1998, the day that led to the end of the war and the reunification of the Kingdom, was Peace Day,” said Manet about the eventual reintegration of the remaining Khmer Rouge soldiers that year.
“For 500 years, we were divided by conflict. The peace and development we all enjoy today were made possible because 25 years ago we ended the war,” he said.
“We have established the ‘Day of Peace in Cambodia’ with the sacred purpose of encouraging our compatriots to love peace and hate war. This date was chosen to remember December 29, 1998, when the win-win policy of former Prime Minister Hun Sen brought a total end to war in Cambodia and built a lasting peace,” said Manet on January 1.
The day is also to show gratitude to the martyrs who had sacrificed their lives for the cause of peace and national reconciliation.