By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Prime Minister Hun Sen has again reiterated that the government is waiting for the World Bank to provide detailed evidence to support its allegations of multimillion-dollar corruption at several Bank-funded government infrastructure projects.
Hun Sen made his remarks earlier this month in a written response to Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Keo Remy, who had written to the prime minister on June 13 asking that those responsible for the corruption scandal, rather than Cambodia's taxpayers, be made to repay the World Bank.
The World Bank alleged in May that it had found widespread corruption in a total of 43 development contracts, tendered by at least six ministries and with a total value of $11.9 million.
"The government will take measures to resolve these issues after receiving detailed reports and real evidence from the World Bank," Hun Sen wrote.
"The government is addressing this matter through cooperation with the World Bank's Integrity Department," he added. "The five ministries related to the World Bank's allegations have already prepared to resolve these issues appropriately."
Keo Remy on Tuesday described Hun Sen's response as "broad."
"The government must take strict measures against those people and without any exception," Keo Remy said. Since early June, government officials have repeatedly complained that the World Bank's allegations were without basis and demanded more proof.
Om Yentieng, an adviser to Hun Sen, said the prime minister's letter spoke for itself and declined further comment.
A spokesman for the World Bank could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The Bank has previously stated that it has provided sufficient evidence for the government to investigate the allegations.
Hun Sen made his remarks earlier this month in a written response to Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Keo Remy, who had written to the prime minister on June 13 asking that those responsible for the corruption scandal, rather than Cambodia's taxpayers, be made to repay the World Bank.
The World Bank alleged in May that it had found widespread corruption in a total of 43 development contracts, tendered by at least six ministries and with a total value of $11.9 million.
"The government will take measures to resolve these issues after receiving detailed reports and real evidence from the World Bank," Hun Sen wrote.
"The government is addressing this matter through cooperation with the World Bank's Integrity Department," he added. "The five ministries related to the World Bank's allegations have already prepared to resolve these issues appropriately."
Keo Remy on Tuesday described Hun Sen's response as "broad."
"The government must take strict measures against those people and without any exception," Keo Remy said. Since early June, government officials have repeatedly complained that the World Bank's allegations were without basis and demanded more proof.
Om Yentieng, an adviser to Hun Sen, said the prime minister's letter spoke for itself and declined further comment.
A spokesman for the World Bank could not be reached for comment Tuesday. The Bank has previously stated that it has provided sufficient evidence for the government to investigate the allegations.
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