New Labor Minister Voted in by National Assembly
By Lor Chandara
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The National Assembly voted secretly on Tuesday to formally replace Funcinpec Minister of Labor Nhep Bunchin with CPP Labor Ministry Secretary of State Vong Soth.
A vote of 82 lawmakers carried the appointment of Vong Soth, who is the son-in-law of National Assembly President and ruling CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin, while seven votes were counted against the appointment and 11 lawmakers abstained.
Following the vote, Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters that Nhep Bunchin is being investigated for his alleged role in the charging of fees to Cambodians signing up for work in Thailand and South Korea, and in the alleged illegal sending of laborers to Saudi Arabia.
"I want to tell you that I don't care if one comes from CPP or Funcinpec, or whatever party," Hun Sen said. "We will do the same if any institution would commit a mistake."
He said that the Labor Ministry is ripe for corruption, controlling vocational training centers including a new one built with South Korean grants totaling $30 million.
"I regret that I cannot uphold my intention to have all government members stay until the end of the mandate," Hun Sen said. "I have to replace the minister to strengthen good governance at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training," Hun Sen maintained.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said he abstained from voting because the government did not report officially on why it was removing Nhep Bunchin.
"If Nhep Bunchin is guilty, there should be an official letter from the government," he said. "The reshuffle was made to take away the position from Funcinpec more than anything else."
Nhep Bunchin was reportedly outside the country and could not be reached for comment
Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu San said he was satisfied with Vong Soth's appointment.
"I am happy that the National Assembly voted for a new minister," he said.
"For Nhep Bunchin's work, I don't know what was going on because that was internal business," the royalist lawmaker said.
A vote of 82 lawmakers carried the appointment of Vong Soth, who is the son-in-law of National Assembly President and ruling CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin, while seven votes were counted against the appointment and 11 lawmakers abstained.
Following the vote, Prime Minister Hun Sen told reporters that Nhep Bunchin is being investigated for his alleged role in the charging of fees to Cambodians signing up for work in Thailand and South Korea, and in the alleged illegal sending of laborers to Saudi Arabia.
"I want to tell you that I don't care if one comes from CPP or Funcinpec, or whatever party," Hun Sen said. "We will do the same if any institution would commit a mistake."
He said that the Labor Ministry is ripe for corruption, controlling vocational training centers including a new one built with South Korean grants totaling $30 million.
"I regret that I cannot uphold my intention to have all government members stay until the end of the mandate," Hun Sen said. "I have to replace the minister to strengthen good governance at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training," Hun Sen maintained.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Son Chhay said he abstained from voting because the government did not report officially on why it was removing Nhep Bunchin.
"If Nhep Bunchin is guilty, there should be an official letter from the government," he said. "The reshuffle was made to take away the position from Funcinpec more than anything else."
Nhep Bunchin was reportedly outside the country and could not be reached for comment
Funcinpec lawmaker Khieu San said he was satisfied with Vong Soth's appointment.
"I am happy that the National Assembly voted for a new minister," he said.
"For Nhep Bunchin's work, I don't know what was going on because that was internal business," the royalist lawmaker said.
4 comments:
This is one of the big problem in FUNCINPEC. All member have no unity start fromt the Prince himself. They work only for their own personal greed not for the unfortunated Cambodian. Sooner or later, the rest will join CPP party, this include Nhek Bunchhay. The demise of FUNCINPEC only have itself to blame. The prince lacks of responsibility to be a leader, but a comedian.
Real Democrecy in the making!
That Khiev San speaks like a duck and works likes a pig...He knows nothing.
Nhep Bunchin did nothing wrong. They have no proof of him doing any wrong doings. Real democracy in the making my A**. The Speculated that he took bribes. If he did why isnt he living the lavish life. whatever.
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