'The Master'

Cambodian Prime Minister, Hun Sen has taken to calling himself 'The Master.'  And he continues to fashion himself as a 'Master' who cannot and must not be replaced.

"Repeated changes destroy everything, losing all customs and norms. What causes these problems? It is because of change, and it's true," the PM said in an election speech, before going on to attack various political rivals.

"Now, although we are still poor and it is difficult, what we have is clearly in our hands... happiness and a country having no war, meaning we don't have unrest. If we have unrest, who helps who," he continued.

Fair enough, at first glance, perhaps; what politician doesn't fight to stay in power?

But this is more than that; much more than that. 'The Master's' clear message is that should he be ousted at the polls, or in some other way, Cambodia will lurch into chaos, unrest and even war.

Sure, that's a vote-catcher but it's also loathsome, none-too-subtle fear-mongering. Baseless, fear mongering that is likely to resonant and chill many Cambodians as 'The Master,' surely knows.