A factory worker standing in front of cartoon banners depicting corruption in Cambodia which is spreading like a disease. (Photo AFP)29 May 2006
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by KI-Media
Prime minister Hun Sen of Cambodia had pushed the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Inspection to fight against corruption which is spreading inside the country. There will be no mercy or grace given to any government officials or any individuals even though Cambodia does not yet have an anti-corruption law in place.
Addressing citizens and government officials, as well as diplomatic corps who participated in the inauguration of a new building for the department of inspection in Phnom Penh, the prime minister said: “For example, in the past, [it takes a long time] to be able to find out. Based on what I learn, several hidden forces [are needed] to find out the people who smuggled gas into the Phnom Penh port.”
The declaration of the prime minister pushing the authority to pay attention and to work hard to fight and prevent corruption in Cambodia was made following the discovery and arrest of a large gas smuggling ring by custom officials on 15 May.
The custom’s action led to the confiscation of two ships transporting 230,000 liters of contraband gas and a towing boat, as well as the arrest of 2 boat navigators who illegally smuggled gas from Vietnam through the Mekong River to the port of Phnom Penh.
Following this incident, custom authorities and the ministry of economy and finance had investigated and removed from their position 11 custom officials involved in the contraband gas for their neglect in inspecting merchandise.
Pen Siman, the government delegate in charge of custom and tax department of Cambodia told RFA on Monday that he plans to send the file to the court in the near future if representatives of Sovereign, the Hong Kong-based company doing business in Cambodia, do not show up after the third summon.
Recently, there were also several reports of corruption in several government ministries such as at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction, and more recently at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training which led to the removal of its [Funcinpec] minister.
Mrs. Men Sam An, [CPP] minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Inspection told RFA that the anti-corruption law is now still stuck at the council of ministers [presided by Hun Sen].
Son Chhay, opposition MP, who was present at the speech given by Hun Sen, said: “It is very regrettable that the corruption originated from senior government officials, and we never see any retribution imposed [on the culprits].”
According to a research document published by USAID in 2004, Cambodia lost between 300 to 500 million dollars from corruption and contraband.
Addressing citizens and government officials, as well as diplomatic corps who participated in the inauguration of a new building for the department of inspection in Phnom Penh, the prime minister said: “For example, in the past, [it takes a long time] to be able to find out. Based on what I learn, several hidden forces [are needed] to find out the people who smuggled gas into the Phnom Penh port.”
The declaration of the prime minister pushing the authority to pay attention and to work hard to fight and prevent corruption in Cambodia was made following the discovery and arrest of a large gas smuggling ring by custom officials on 15 May.
The custom’s action led to the confiscation of two ships transporting 230,000 liters of contraband gas and a towing boat, as well as the arrest of 2 boat navigators who illegally smuggled gas from Vietnam through the Mekong River to the port of Phnom Penh.
Following this incident, custom authorities and the ministry of economy and finance had investigated and removed from their position 11 custom officials involved in the contraband gas for their neglect in inspecting merchandise.
Pen Siman, the government delegate in charge of custom and tax department of Cambodia told RFA on Monday that he plans to send the file to the court in the near future if representatives of Sovereign, the Hong Kong-based company doing business in Cambodia, do not show up after the third summon.
Recently, there were also several reports of corruption in several government ministries such as at the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning & Construction, and more recently at the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training which led to the removal of its [Funcinpec] minister.
Mrs. Men Sam An, [CPP] minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Inspection told RFA that the anti-corruption law is now still stuck at the council of ministers [presided by Hun Sen].
Son Chhay, opposition MP, who was present at the speech given by Hun Sen, said: “It is very regrettable that the corruption originated from senior government officials, and we never see any retribution imposed [on the culprits].”
According to a research document published by USAID in 2004, Cambodia lost between 300 to 500 million dollars from corruption and contraband.
3 comments:
Doesn't Hun Sen realize that pushing for the corruption law will affect him? What is he talking about "gas smuggler"? I don't believe gas smuggling is such a big deal. There are plenty of corrupted officials needed to be prosecuted for destroying Cambodia. I want to see the anti-corruption law legislated soon.
First of all, we needed to account all those illegal Youn. We need to confiscated all ah Youn property and distributed to all Khmer people that have suffered for all those years. Reformed the Government now. We the People...
Who will believe this stinky mouth Hun Sen? I am tired of hearing his useless cry...
He never practice what he preaches!!!
The bigest gas smurgler is Tela Khmer own by Bonary Hung Xen and her daughter.
We people of cambodia would choose our own good gorvernment of the people, if UN can take killing forces out of Hun Sen hand!
Reform Cambodia Royal police, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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