Nhiek Kosal Vithya (L) and So Khun (R)20 April 2008
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications had recently decided to remove Nhiek Kosal Vithya from his position as deputy director of the Telecommunications department while he is accused of corruption, embezzlement of million dollars of state funds from the network and the national and international telephone system in Cambodia.
The removal of Nhiek Kosal Vithya took place during a position transfer following the end of his 3-year term.
So Khun, the minister of Post and Telecommunication, told RFA on Sunday that: “It’s the end of his term. He only worked for three years, therefore after three years, we must change.” When asked if this removal is connected to the corruption accusation, So Khun replied: “We leave this to the police to research some more, because the ministry’s audition in connection with the Parliament, they are still continuing their research some more.”
The position transfer took place last Friday stemming from a sub-decree nominating Lao Saroeun as the replacement for Nhiek Kosal Vithya who will still hold a position at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, even though he is under investigation by the relevant department for the corruption accusation.
Yang Kim Eng, director of the People Center for Development and Peace in Cambodia which is a member organization of the civil society against corruption, said: “This is the normal way of the government, there’s only a position change from one place to another. This measure does not teach anything to the corrupt officials.”
SRP MP Yim Sovann who is also the chairman of the National Assembly committee for the Interior, Defense, Investigation and cleanup, and Public Works, reacted by saying: “Mr. Nhiek Kosal Vithyea was not the only one involved in corruption and embezzlement of many million of dollars in state funds. But, up to now, the position change opens the path for the investigation, we welcome it. For all cases, we ask for a proper investigation by an independent committee.”
Based on research report issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in September 2007, 8 points were found, including Nhiek Kosal Vithya’s 2006 embezzlement of state funds whereby 51% of the international phone revenue which should be paid to the state – an amount totaling 1.656 billion riels (~$414,000) – but only 5% of the amount was actually recorded as revenue. He is also allegedly involved in inflating the number of his advisors from 7 to 9, as well as the number of aid workers, he was accused of pocketing the salaries of the ghost workers. There were also additional accusations made by the ministry.
Nhiek Kosal Vithya could not be reached on Sunday about these corruption charges.
The removal of Nhiek Kosal Vithya took place during a position transfer following the end of his 3-year term.
So Khun, the minister of Post and Telecommunication, told RFA on Sunday that: “It’s the end of his term. He only worked for three years, therefore after three years, we must change.” When asked if this removal is connected to the corruption accusation, So Khun replied: “We leave this to the police to research some more, because the ministry’s audition in connection with the Parliament, they are still continuing their research some more.”
The position transfer took place last Friday stemming from a sub-decree nominating Lao Saroeun as the replacement for Nhiek Kosal Vithya who will still hold a position at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, even though he is under investigation by the relevant department for the corruption accusation.
Yang Kim Eng, director of the People Center for Development and Peace in Cambodia which is a member organization of the civil society against corruption, said: “This is the normal way of the government, there’s only a position change from one place to another. This measure does not teach anything to the corrupt officials.”
SRP MP Yim Sovann who is also the chairman of the National Assembly committee for the Interior, Defense, Investigation and cleanup, and Public Works, reacted by saying: “Mr. Nhiek Kosal Vithyea was not the only one involved in corruption and embezzlement of many million of dollars in state funds. But, up to now, the position change opens the path for the investigation, we welcome it. For all cases, we ask for a proper investigation by an independent committee.”
Based on research report issued by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications in September 2007, 8 points were found, including Nhiek Kosal Vithya’s 2006 embezzlement of state funds whereby 51% of the international phone revenue which should be paid to the state – an amount totaling 1.656 billion riels (~$414,000) – but only 5% of the amount was actually recorded as revenue. He is also allegedly involved in inflating the number of his advisors from 7 to 9, as well as the number of aid workers, he was accused of pocketing the salaries of the ghost workers. There were also additional accusations made by the ministry.
Nhiek Kosal Vithya could not be reached on Sunday about these corruption charges.
