Veng Sereyvuth occupies his position as Minister of Culture

Thursday, September 27, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

On Wednesday morning, Veng Sereivuth (the former husband of Uk Phalla, before she left him for Prince Ranariddh) officially occupied his position as minister of Culture, replacing Prince Sisowath Pana Sereyvuth who is ill and is currently hospitalized abroad for several years already. The inauguration of Veng Sereivuth to his new position was presided by Keo Puth Rasmey, vice-prime minister and Funcinpec president. In his new position, Veng Sereivuth said that he is determined to participate with the ministry leadership, as well as government officials at the ministry, and artists, to continue the cultural policy, and to continuously growing it further, with the aim of safeguarding and developing culture according to the government rectangular policy.

National Assembly Approves Cabinet Shifts

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
05 September 2007

The National Assembly Wednesday approved four high-ranking government replacements for those who had died, retired or become too sick to hold their posts.

In a vote of 107-to-1, the lawmakers approved the replacement of a deputy prime minister, a senior minister, a cabinet minister and two secretaries of state.

The lawmakers approved Bin Chhin as deputy prime minister; former tourism minister Veng Sereyvuth as Minister of Culture and Arts; Chan Sotheavy as secretary of state for the Ministry of Justice; and Sisowath Theso as secretary of state for Ministry of Tourism.

Prime Minister Hun said the replacements would help smooth the government's work.

Bin Chhin installed as the 7th deputy-PM in recognition for his past talent in trampling the constitution to the CPP's advantage

September 05, 2007
Cambodian National Assembly approves new members of cabinet

Cambodian National Assembly approved the appointments of some new members of the cabinet on Wednesday, according to a statement of the National Assembly.

One hundred and seven members of the parliament voted to approve the appointments in the present of 108 of all 123 MPs, said Heng Samrin, president of the Cambodian National Assembly, the statement said.

Bin Chhin, the ex-president of the Constitutional Council of Cambodia from the Cambodian People's Party (CPP), was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, becoming the seventh deputy prime minister of Cambodia, it added.

Meanwhile, Veng Sirivuth, former tourism minister from the Funcinpec party, was appointed as Minister of Culture and Fine Arts instead of Sisowath Panara Sirivuth who has struggled against illness for a long time, the statement said.

Prince Sisowath Tesso from Funcinpec party was appointed as the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Tourism instead of Princess Norodom Ratana Tevy who has delivered a baby, it said.

In addition, Chan Sotheavy from CPP was appointed as Secretary of State of the Ministry of Justice instead of Ie Dorn who has died, it added.

Source: Xinhua

More position musical chair game at Funcinpec

Princess Rattana Devi (L) and Veng Sereyvudh (R)

Krom Preah's daughter resigned from Secretary of State position

Thursday, June 14, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

The Kampuchea Thmei newspaper quoted Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, who said that Princess Norodom Rattana Devi, Prince Ranariddh’s daughter, sent in her resignation letter from her position as secretary of state at the Ministry of Tourism. Nouv Sovathero said that Funcinpec has no intention of removing the princess from her position, but that the decision was made by the princess herself. Currently, the princess retains only her position as MP from Kratie province. Nouv Sovathero revealed that the person who will take over the princess position at the Ministry of Tourism will be Prince Sisowath Tessaro. Another source revealed that there will be a position shuffling at the Ministry of Culture where Prince Sisowath Panara Sirivudh, Minister of Culture, would be replaced by Veng Sereyvudh. However, Nouv Sovathero said that this information is not founded. Yet another source indicated that Prince Panara Sirivudh is currently ill and he is staying abroad. He did not go to work for a long period of time already and, therefore, the shuffling rumor could be true.