One of the world's most notorious autocrats has faced fierce criticism from politicians and Cambodians living in Australia.
Last week, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen fired a stern warning at those planning to protest during his visit to Sydney later this month.
"If they dare make an effigy of me and burn it, I will pursue them to their houses and beat them up, I tell you in advance," Hun Sen said.
Australian politicians have since labelled Hun Sen's intimidation "unacceptable".
Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen has promised to stand by the Cambodian-Australian community.
"We will stand with the Cambodian-Australian community and their right to engage in peaceful protest and we will not see them intimidated," Mr Bowen said.
"We will not see them harassed and we will not see them bullied."
They have people in this parliament that will stand up for them and all others."
Self-titled "Lord Prime Minister Supreme Military Commander", Hun Sen is a former Khmer Rouge soldier who has ruled Cambodia for more than three decades through violence, paid defections and a crackdown on opposition leaders and independent media organisations.
He is scheduled to attend the Australian-ASEAN summit in Sydney on March 14-15.
The Cambodian-Australian community has long protested against Hun Sen's rule, and hundreds are expected to make their voices heard again during his visit.
Sawathey Ek from the Cambodian Action Group said many Cambodian-Australians took the Prime Minister's latest threats seriously.
"We've been trying to urge the Australian government and foreign minister to take note of our concerns," Mr Ek said.
Sawathey Ek, Cambodian Action Group Source: SBS
He confirmed that, despite safety concerns, the planned protest will go ahead.
"It's purely our right to protest, it's our democratic right," Mr Ek said.
"He gives no regard to human rights, he gives no respect to Australia being the country that feeds him."
This is a country, along with the United Nations, that has been financially feeding him and now he is turning around and issuing threats to our host nation."
A massive security clampdown was planned in an effort to protect ASEAN leaders, including Hun Sen, when they arrive in Sydney.
It would be the first time Australia has hosted the ASEAN special summit.
