Another farcical interview by 4-moon general Sao Sokha

Sao Sokha (Photo: Chan Lida, RFI)

4-moon general Sao Sokha: “Firing that caused the death of Mr. Chut Wutty and a military police is due to personal dispute”

28 April 2012
By Kuoch Kuntheara
Radio France Internationale
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Click on the control below to listen to Sao Sokha:

Click here to listen or download the interview in MP3

RFI’s weekly guest for Saturday 28 April is Mr. Sao Sokha, the deputy chief of staff of the RCAF and commander of the national military police. In response to questions asked by Kuoch Kuntheara, Sao Sokha indicated that the firing event in Thmor Bang district, Kong Kong province, which led to the death of Chut Wutty, President of the Natural Resource Protection Group, and a military police officer, started from personal dispute (sic!). To Sao Sokha, this incident has nothing to do with the national military police.

Cambodia's dark sky to be brighter with the addition of many more army stars

Soon Cambodia will have the largest number of generals in the world?

Hun Xen promotes 4 generals to the rank of 4-star generals

06 March 2010
DAP-news
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A high-ranking general revealed that, at least 4 generals were proposed by Hun Xen to the King to be promoted to the rank of 4-golden-star generals, as well as promoting the rank of a number of other generals.

A source among the RCAF generals revealed that the four generals proposed for promotion to the rank of 4-golden-star general are: Chea Dara, Sao Sokha, Hing Bun Heang and Nhek Huon. Currently, the four generals are RCAF deputy-Commander-in-Chief. Sao Sokha is also the commander in chief of the Military Police for the entire country, Hing Bun Heang is the commander of Hun Xen’s private bodyguard unit, and Chea Dara is the commander in chief in charge of the Preah Vihear frontline. In addition to the proposal for the promotion of the 4 generals above, a number of 1 and2-star generals was proposed for promotion as well. A reliable source claimed that the promotion proposal made by Hun Xen was already sent to the king who is expected to approve them soon.

CPP adds 6 more permanent committee members

23 April 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The CPP is holding a two-day congress on 25-26 April 2009. Prey Veng CPP MP Cheam Yeap, who is also the chairman of the National Assembly finance committee, told the Kampuchea Thmei newspaper in the afternoon of 22 April that the CPP plans to hold its congress on 25-26 April. He added that the CPP holds its congress at least once or twice a year to listen to reports on the work accomplished, and to set the goal for the following year. The congress will also include a vote for 6 new party permanent committee members. An unofficial source claimed that the 6 new permanent committee members are: Keat Chhon [Pol Pot’s former close assistant], Sao Sokha [the military police chief], Neth Savoeun [Hun Sen’s nephew-in-law], Yim Chhay Ly, Kun Kim [a recent PhD from Hanoi] and Meas Sophea. Cheam Yeap indicated that, in the past, there were 262 members in the party central committee, and among them 30 are members of the permanent committee. However, following Hok Lundy’s departure to the netherworld, the CPP currently counts only 29 permanent committee members.

Hun Sen's confession: Army vehicles are rented to private businesses for illegal transportations

The general trio: Tea Banh (L), Sao Sokha (C) and Pol Saroeun (R)

Army Brigade 70 truck fully laden with [illegal] timber, Route 2, April 2005(Photo: Global Witness - Cambodia's Family Tree)

Small truck used by Army Brigade 70 to distribute [smuggled] goods within Phnom Penh (Photo: Global Witness - Cambodia's Family Tree)

Hun Sen orders the roundup of army vehicles rented to private businesses

Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Koh Santepheap newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered General Tea Banh, the vice-prime minister and minister of defense, General Pol Saroeun, and General Sao Sokha to immediately round up and bring back all army vehicles. Hun Sen’s order was issued during a meeting between the government and the private sector which took place at the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). Hun Sen issued this order after Oknha So Nguon requested that the government uses fairness in the transportation.

Hun Sen said that while the ministry of defense asked for budget for the transport of troops, the army vehicles are being rented out to transport private merchandises instead. Hun Sen revealed that more than $4 million were spent by wives of (government) leaders to visit troops and to bring miscellaneous helps to the troops. Hun Sen demanded that the leaders of the ministry of national defense review the cases of vehicles rented out for private transportations, should these vehicles belong to the army, they should be rounded up and returned back to the state because of the current lack of transportation means.

Hun Sen scolded army officers in the administration of vehicles for committing these mistakes, and he called them of not respecting the rules. Hun Sen warned that the soldiers are not standing above the head of the government, and that government soldiers are very easy to be removed from their positions. Hun Sen said that these cases not only affect those vehicles bearing the KM license plates (army vehicles), but they also affect vehicles bearing the NB license plates (police vehicles) as well. Hun Sen pushed the army to find 500 vehicles for him so he can distribute them to areas in need.

Hun Sen reminded that in 1989-90, there were 400 (surplus) vehicles in stock, and two years later, they were all distributed out. Hun Sen also said that the main problem caused by army vehicles is the fact that they transport merchandises over the weight limits, they can cause damages to roads, and no police officers dare stop them. Hun Sen also called all levels of the army to round up army vehicles and return them back to the army, they should no longer be rented out for transportation of private merchandise when the army is in need. The army civil engineering unit needs these vehicles to transport dirt for the construction of canals. Hun Sen requested that this action must be set in place immediately, and he also warned that (in Cambodia), there are tons of generals.

Hun Sen said that if army vehicles are indeed used for private transportation rental, this is a tragedy. He also said that private vehicles are backed up by army units, these units will be dealt with because the unit leaders do not respect the law. Hun Sen added that vehicles bearing the license plates KM or NB are found not to transport army materials, they must be stopped immediately because Cambodia needs vehicles for transporting dirt in the construction of canals, dikes, and roads.

Cops taking oath at the Appeals Court to serve the nation and the people ... the problem is: how long will this oath last?

Cops take oath at the Appeals Court

Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

107 national and Phnom Penh city military police (PM) officers, led by General Sao Sokha, the national PM commander, took oath at the Appeals Court on 20 August 2007 following the ratification of the new criminal law by King Sihamoni on 10 August. The oath taking ceremony was performed by the PM officers to put into practice the new legal system set by the new criminal law. Sao Sokha said, after the ceremony, that he hopes that his PM offices will fulfill their duties as judicial police officers from now on, and that they will render their services with utmost faithfulness to serve the people. In the afternoon of the same day, 180 police officers of the Ministry of interior led by General So Phorn, the deputy national police commissioner, also participated in the oath taking ceremony by swearing that they will put (the new law into application) to serve the nation and the people, just like what their PM counterparts said earlier in the day.

Operation “Demolition of the Long Chhin Resorts buildings”

Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

A government delegation led by Lim Kean Hor, the minister of water resources and meteorology, and general Sao Sokha, the military police chief, undertook an operation to demolish hundred of housing constructions located within the Long Chhin Resorts, in the morning of 31 July 2007. The Long Chhin Resorts is located in Prek Phnov village, Prek Phnov commune, Pohnea Loeu district, Kandal province, occupying an area of 60-hectare extending directly on top of Boeng Kob Srov Lake. During the demolition operation, several hundreds of police and military police officers can be seen, as well as about 50 mechanical equipments, and about 100 workers. Lim Kean Hor said that the demolition of the Long Chhin Resorts was done through an order issued by Hun Sen and the operation will start from 31 July until everything returns back to its original condition. The demolition of the buildings was done because the Long Chhin Company filled in the Kob Srov Lake for building by grabbing the lake which belongs to the state. Lim Kean Hor said that the flooding from the Mekong River could be significant if companies are allowed to fill in the lake in this manner, and that Phnom Penh city could face dire (flooding) consequences.

Sir Bobby to visit football crazy Cambodia

By Charles McDermid and Sam Rith
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 12, June 15 - 28, 2007

When English football legend Sir Bobby Charlton arrives in Phnom Penh for a good-will visit next month, he may be surprised by the contrast between the presently robust climate of Cambodian football and its decades-long run of disappointment.

It's still a long shot from Old Trafford circa 1966-but for Cambodia recent events are as encouraging as they've been in years. Sir Bobby comes amid local accomplishments. Ahead of a June 18 match with regional rival Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia's national team has climbed to the rank of 169 out of 208 FIFA members-it's highest mark since a 162 in 1998.

Over the same time, brokering from a high-ranking government official has netted a $105,600 annual donation, boosting the budget of the newly re-named Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) by some 30 percent.

"The South Korea company Korean Technology Company donated more than $100,000 after the intervention of Sok An," said Khek Ravy, FCC senior vice president. "At the opening of the Hun Sen Cup, leaders from the South Korean company came with him- and they promised to help."

Ravy and FFC President Military General Sao Sokha returned June 2 from the annual FIFA Congress in Zurich. The FFC leaders returned with a personal pledge of support from FIFA President Joseph "Sepp" Blatter. "We're very happy to have his support. It's good backing, but we need more . It's a big first step but we need FIFA money and expertise to build capacity.

"Sokha sat with people and was humble about Cambodia and himself," said Ravy. " The General had a chance to see the Under-14 tourney won by South Africa over Bolivia. And saw first-hand the caliber of successful world football. He saw how associations operate efficiently."

One controversy has emerged: the future status of national head coach Scott O'Donell.

"We use all the funding to support staffs salary, administrative work, competitions and football development. This amount of money would be a lot for an individual or one family, but for the football field that has hundreds of teams it is not enough," Sokha said. "After his [Scott O'Donell's] contract end in 2007, we will recheck the contract between him and us. Due to our budget package, we may not have enough money to pay him as we have contracted. Previously we get US$100,000 per year from SCA to pay him, but next year SCA plans to cut 50 percent of the budget that they usually sponsored us." This ca-me as a surprise to O'Donell.

"I met with the President, General Sao Sokha two weeks ago to discuss my role after my current contract expires in December," O'Donell said. "He told me he was happy with the work I was doing and would like me to continue."

South Korean company donates to help Cambodia train footballers

General Sao Sokha (R), president of the Football Federation of Cambodia, during a ceremony in which he received the Moha Sereiwath medal from Hun Sen (L), January 2007 (Photo: Cambodia's Family Tree, Global Witness)

June 08, 2007

The Korean Technology Company ( KTC) from South Korea has decided to donate 105,600 U.S. dollars each year from 2007 to 2009 to help Cambodia train its national footballers, a sports official said on Friday.

"The finance will be used for paying salary for the players and purchasing materials," said Sao Sokha, president of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC).

The consecutive donation will help strengthen Cambodian footballers' capacity, said Sokha, adding that the players used to have financial difficulties which led to unsatisfied match results.

In addition, he said, KTC will spend 100,000 U.S. dollars annually to hire South Korean coach to train Cambodia's national football team and qualified footballers will be sent to South Korea for further improvement.

Cambodia now has some 30 functional football clubs. It stays almost at the bottom of the International Football Federation's ( FIFA) world ranking.

Source: Xinhua