Interior Ministry retirees get ‘political positions’

Senior officials at the Ministry of Interior who have recently retired will be reappointed to “political positions”, Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng said yesterday.

The announcement from Kheng, who is also the interior minister, came just days after the ruling Cambodian People’s Party was criticised by Human Rights Watch for appointing dozens of senior military and police officials to the CPP’s central committee.

“We will have to look into re-appointing some retirees who are in good health and have lots of experience,” he said, adding that positions on offer ranged from undersecretary of state to secretary of state.

Kheng said he was “proud” that the ministry had “escaped completely” from allegations of nepotism.

“We avoid appointing the children of officials,” he said.

Son Chhay, an opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party MP, said the creation of jobs for such officials had led to a bloated government.

“The appointments are not in the national interest; they are intended to feed party officials,” he said. “The government should let the old officials retire to make way for new blood.”

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/interior-ministry-retirees-get-political-positions