Hun Sen surrounds himself with generals acting as advisors

The Strongman of Cambodia surrounded himself with general-advisors

By Ung Chamroeun
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr for Ki-Media
Click here to read the article in French

“Cambodia hold the world record in useless nominations to government positions. This creates an important drain on state resources” - Rong Chhun, CITA President

Following a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on 27 January 2009, 19 high-ranking army officers were nominated as personal advisors to Hun Sen.

Among these advisors, two will hold a rank equivalent to that of state minister: Pol Saroeun, the newly nominated army chief of staff, and Meas Sopha, Pol Saroeun’s deputy. Six other generals will hold a rank equivalent to that of a minister, and 11 will hold a rank equivalent to that of a secretary of state. All these new advisors already occupy important positions at the National Defense ministry, in particular, Ung Samkhan, the army deputy-chief of staff, Tea Vinh, [Tea Banh’s brother] the royal navy chief, and Soeung Samnang, the air force chief.

As a matter of fact, on 04 October 2008, King Sihamoni already signed another royal decree nominating 104 high-ranking officials to the position of Hun Sen’s advisors, following the latter’s re-election to office.

To an astute observer, this plethora of advisors is a mean [used by Hun Sen] to neutralize some high-ranking government officials. Rong Chhun, President of the Cambodia Independent Trachers’ Association (CITA), declared over the phone to Cambodge Soir Hebdo: “Cambodia hold the world record in useless nominations to government positions. This creates an important waste of state resources.”