Seng Theary (L) and Vy Houi (R)CSD personnel demand that the interim president ends his threats
19 July 2009
By Kim Pov
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Chao Chet
At least 50 employees of the Center for Social Development (CSD) among a total of 70 of them have signed a petition demanding that Vy Houi, the CSD interim president, ends a number of his actions that lead to the blocking of the center’s activities.
Representative of the employees who signed this petition accused Vy Houi of issuing threats and firing warning on 4 employees since he started his new position. At the same time, Vy Houi also prevented the withdrawal of cash to fund the various planned activities, and his action led to a complete paralysis of the center’s activities. “When he came, he closed all bank accounts, therefore the CSD is as good as dead.”
The employees accused Vy Houi on several points in their thumbprinted petition. The main demand is for Vy Houi to end his threat to fire employees, end the blocking of funding for the center’s social activities, and they asked that Vy Houi listen to the new board of directors which consists of 10 members.
Vy Huoi, who is under these accusations, cannot be reached to provide clarifications on all these issues, in spite of RFA’s multiple attempts to contact him on this Sunday 19 July.
The CSD was formed more then 10 years ago, its main function is help people with legal issues and to hold public forums in various areas to explain rights to the people.
The dispute at the CSD started in the past few years after Mrs. Chea Vannath, the former CSD president, left following her resignation.
After the departure of Mrs. Chea Vannath, Ms. Seng Theary was selected by the board of directors to take over this position, but then, internal disputes took place and the former board of directors decided to fire Seng Theary. However, a new board of directors was formed and it rejected the old board of directors and Seng Theary kept her position.
Vy Houi, the chairman of the former CSD board of directors, sued the formation of a new board of directors as well as the actions taken by Seng Theary. This case led the Phnom Penh municipal court to issue a decision last week proclaiming Vy Houi as the new CSD president replacing Seng Theary until a final decision will be made.
Representative of the employees who signed this petition accused Vy Houi of issuing threats and firing warning on 4 employees since he started his new position. At the same time, Vy Houi also prevented the withdrawal of cash to fund the various planned activities, and his action led to a complete paralysis of the center’s activities. “When he came, he closed all bank accounts, therefore the CSD is as good as dead.”
The employees accused Vy Houi on several points in their thumbprinted petition. The main demand is for Vy Houi to end his threat to fire employees, end the blocking of funding for the center’s social activities, and they asked that Vy Houi listen to the new board of directors which consists of 10 members.
Vy Huoi, who is under these accusations, cannot be reached to provide clarifications on all these issues, in spite of RFA’s multiple attempts to contact him on this Sunday 19 July.
The CSD was formed more then 10 years ago, its main function is help people with legal issues and to hold public forums in various areas to explain rights to the people.
The dispute at the CSD started in the past few years after Mrs. Chea Vannath, the former CSD president, left following her resignation.
After the departure of Mrs. Chea Vannath, Ms. Seng Theary was selected by the board of directors to take over this position, but then, internal disputes took place and the former board of directors decided to fire Seng Theary. However, a new board of directors was formed and it rejected the old board of directors and Seng Theary kept her position.
Vy Houi, the chairman of the former CSD board of directors, sued the formation of a new board of directors as well as the actions taken by Seng Theary. This case led the Phnom Penh municipal court to issue a decision last week proclaiming Vy Houi as the new CSD president replacing Seng Theary until a final decision will be made.
