Son Chhay to call Sok An over corruption order

      Fri, 26 June 2015

Shaun Turton

Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay is today expected to request Sok An, head of the Council of Ministers, to appear before the National Assembly to explain a recent directive forbidding public employees from dealing directly with lawmakers on corruption issues.

In a letter to National Assembly President Heng Samrin, Chhay will demand the deputy prime minister answer questions on July 2 about a circular sent to all ministries and government institutions, which he says undermines the role of lawmakers in fighting graft.

Particularly, Chhay wants to know what Sok An – who is overseeing the edict – meant when he said members of the legislature were “abusing” the government by either not knowing, or feigning ignorance of, the correct procedures on dealing with corruption.

“He needs to explain, who are these members of parliament or senators who have been doing this,” Chhay said.

Chhay’s request comes days after he and fellow opposition lawmaker Ho Vann were chided by Council of Ministers Secretary of State Tek Reth Samrach for criticising the directive, which states all government employees must get permission before speaking to lawmakers or parliamentary commissions.

The order also warns that only the Anti-Corruption Unit should handle corruption complaints.

Chhay’s letter also demands a response to his June 12 request to handover the concession arrangements between the Cambodian government and French company Vinci, which operates the Kingdom’s three international airports.

If approved by Samrin, Chhay’s request then goes to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

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Contact author: Shaun Turton