16 Feb 2009By Mondul Keo
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
Opposition leader Sam Rainsy plans to ask international banks to confiscate money deposited in overseas banks by corrupt Cambodian officials.
In an interview with RFA in the morning of 16 Feb, Sam Rainsy charged that money deposited in overseas banks by a group of high-raking Cambodian government officials originated from the sale of Cambodian natural resources, such as logging, sale of islands and offshore concessions, etc… Therefore the money deposited should be confiscated and returned to the Cambodian people, the legitimate owner of the money.
Sam Rainsy said: “Those who hold position in the government must declare all their asset, and they also should provide the origin of their great fortune. If they come from legal business deals, then it is fine, but if they cannot provide the origin of the money, then it means that they got it from corruption when they hold leadership positions in the country. We must confiscate these people’s assets, these assets belong to Cambodia, they must be confiscated back immediately. For wealth [acquired by corruption] deposited in various countries in the world, we must ask these countries to confiscate the assets belonging to corrupt officials and return them back to the Cambodian people.”
Sam Rainsy did not provide any name that he plans to ask international banks to confiscate from, however, he said the Global Witness report (“Country for Sale”) already contains all these names.
In June 2007, Global Witness issued a report titled “Cambodia’s Family Tree” (Family of the thieves of the nation in Khmer) in which it named high-ranking government officials and business tycoons involved.
Cheam Yeap, the CPP chairman of the National Assembly finance and banking committee, provided the following explanation on the issue above: “What he (Sam Rainsy) raised, it was his right, but according to the law, we cannot do that yet because (1) we don’t know who are involved, (2) there’s no proof that the money they deposited overseas all came from corruption or from squandering of state assets, and (3) the judges can only deal with charges leveled by prosecutors, if there is none, nothing can be done. The 3 points above are the law prohibiting from taking such action (as recommended by Sam Rainsy).”
Sek Borisoth, president of Pact Cambodia, said that nothing can be done as long as the anti-corruption law is not adopted yet. He agreed that there can be no fund freezing or fund confiscation from anyone until the court issues its decision.
In an interview with RFA in the morning of 16 Feb, Sam Rainsy charged that money deposited in overseas banks by a group of high-raking Cambodian government officials originated from the sale of Cambodian natural resources, such as logging, sale of islands and offshore concessions, etc… Therefore the money deposited should be confiscated and returned to the Cambodian people, the legitimate owner of the money.
Sam Rainsy said: “Those who hold position in the government must declare all their asset, and they also should provide the origin of their great fortune. If they come from legal business deals, then it is fine, but if they cannot provide the origin of the money, then it means that they got it from corruption when they hold leadership positions in the country. We must confiscate these people’s assets, these assets belong to Cambodia, they must be confiscated back immediately. For wealth [acquired by corruption] deposited in various countries in the world, we must ask these countries to confiscate the assets belonging to corrupt officials and return them back to the Cambodian people.”
Sam Rainsy did not provide any name that he plans to ask international banks to confiscate from, however, he said the Global Witness report (“Country for Sale”) already contains all these names.
In June 2007, Global Witness issued a report titled “Cambodia’s Family Tree” (Family of the thieves of the nation in Khmer) in which it named high-ranking government officials and business tycoons involved.
Cheam Yeap, the CPP chairman of the National Assembly finance and banking committee, provided the following explanation on the issue above: “What he (Sam Rainsy) raised, it was his right, but according to the law, we cannot do that yet because (1) we don’t know who are involved, (2) there’s no proof that the money they deposited overseas all came from corruption or from squandering of state assets, and (3) the judges can only deal with charges leveled by prosecutors, if there is none, nothing can be done. The 3 points above are the law prohibiting from taking such action (as recommended by Sam Rainsy).”
Sek Borisoth, president of Pact Cambodia, said that nothing can be done as long as the anti-corruption law is not adopted yet. He agreed that there can be no fund freezing or fund confiscation from anyone until the court issues its decision.
15 comments:
I will support this move 100%. When opposition leader wants to do this, we must have a grand plan which is all of out wars against corruptions. Cambodia has been divided and has been destroyed by corruption.
-When Lon Nol toppled out Sihanouk regime, the excuse was also corruption.
-Lon Nol regime was also replaced by an anti-corruption.
-Pol Pot was also replaced by killings and corruptions.
-Now Hun Sen must learn from these effects of corruption.
Areak Prey
Mr. Sam Rainsy needs to be protected. He is brave for trying to reform corruption. The rich and corrupt should be TAXED. The government should be reformed so that our country is not sucked dried of its wealth.
This is a verry good move and life saver to all khmer nation by mr Sa Rainsy .. 100% support .
Khmer Canadian .
I support him 100% too but I am afraid it is impossible.
Can anyone tell me which Cambodian court will rule against the CPP big shots? The judges are also corrupted and oparated under the influance of the CPP who puts then in their posts. Only PM Hun Sen can take this action but; how can the top thief put a stop to thievevery?
Hey 4:29 AM,
What an interesting question and answer, buddy!!! And yes, indeed, I will support Mr. Sam Rainsy a 100%.
But sir, how?
5:16 AM the lighning will to the job ,
whatever it takes to curb corruption and promote good governance. more power. god bless cambodia.
opposition party must reform themselves to be as functioning and experienced as state party.
by establishing more channels like ki-media to engage more intellectuals and experts in the process of policy making. by opening more channels to raise awareness of their own policies, their good will intentions, and by showing those how your party execute policies, what mechanisms/solutions your party can offer to cope with the crisis.
like your stimulus package plan is one best good move for your party.
It happened before in other countries. Everything is verifiable, if not than it should go back to the national reserves.
PM Hun Sen should show his courage and honesty by seriously looking at this SR's idea. If the sacking of KKY and the shake up of the military were parts of cleaning up corruption, every single public servant of high position needs to declare their wealth and provide verification of its original sources. Other than that, it is purely hot air dishonesty.
Are the donors and the international banks supporters or co-conspirators of Cambodian corrupted characters????
Sam Rainsy, indeed, is a brave man, but who's listening to his outcry since economics crisis is world top priority. Who actually care or concern about Khmer people? Even Khmer oversea are feed up with its own country.
The international bank should start with Ah Scam Rainxy's bank. It seems to unlimited fund that last forever.
If you voted for CPP (Cambodian People's Party):
Also known as:
Communist People's Party
Khmer Rouge People's Party
Khmer Krorhorm People's Party
You're support the killing of 1.7 million innocent Khmer peoples.
You're support the killing of innocent men, women and children in Cambodia on March 30, 1997.
You're support murder of Piseth Pilika.
You're support assassination of journalists in Cambodia.
You're support political assassination and killing.
You're support attemted assassination and murder of leader of the free trade union in Cambodia.
You're support corruption in Cambodia.
You're support Hun Sen Regime burn poor people's house down to the ground and leave them homeless.
These are the Trade Mark of Hun Sen Regime.
Hun Sen, Chea Sim and Heng Samrin are Khmer Rouge commanders.
When is the ECCC going to bring these three criminals to U.N. Khmer Rouge Trail?
Khmer Rouge Regime is a genocide organization.
Hun Sen Regime is a terrorist organization.
Hun Sen Bodyguards is a terrorist organization.
Hun Sen Death Squad is a terrorist organization.
Cambodian People's Party is a terrorist organization.
I have declare the current Cambodian government which is lead by the Cambodian People's Party as a terrorist organization.
Whoever associate with the current Cambodian government are associate with a terrorist organization.
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