ACU accuses district official of corruption, RCAF plates found on truck carrying timber

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ACU accuses district official of corruption

Mon, 11 May 2015

May Titthara

The deputy governor of the capital’s Meanchey district, Hiek Chan Leang, is under investigation for alleged bribery in construction contracting, the head of the anti-corruption body revealed yesterday.

Om Yentieng, head of the government’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), told a packed room of local officials in Tuol Kork district yesterday that Chan Leang was suspected of presiding over a raft of corrupt practices in the construction sector in the district, which has seen a building boom in recent years.

He said that Chan Leang had allegedly taken bribes from would-be developers in exchange for illegally issuing construction permits, circumventing the normal licence application process, “so it means the ACU will investigate the deputy governor”.

Pich Keo Mony, Meanchey district governor, admitted yesterday that there was truth to some of the allegations levelled against Chan Leang.

“I have advised [Chan Leang against this behaviour] and blamed him, because everything should be lawful. We cannot do anything illegal,” he said.

Chan Leang was singled out for investigation because he heads the committee responsible for issuing construction permits, Yentieng said.

But Chan Leang said the ACU was “confused” by his office’s paperwork and maintained that his house was in order.

“I have no right to [sign off on contracts],” he said, adding that the final decision rested with District Governor Keo Mony. “Only the governor can do that. I just tick the documents. Sometimes there is jealousy within institutions, and it is leaked to the press so stories can be written so people attack each other.”

Chan Leang is the second high-profile Meanchey district official to be put under the microscope for alleged illegal practices in recent months.

On September 30 last year, former district police chief Hy Narin was arrested on eight counts of corruption after an eight-month probe found he had embezzled more than $660,000. Narin was sent to Prey Sar prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on October 3, 2014, on two charges of corruption and embezzling public money.

According to a report by the ACU in December, 87 per cent of all complaints lodged to the body are made against officials who were appointed by government decree.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/acu-accuses-district-official-corruption

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RCAF plates found on truck carrying timber

Mon, 11 May 2015

Taing Vida

A truck bearing Royal Cambodian Armed Forces licence plates and carrying more than 70 pieces of rosewood timber was raided by Kampong Thom province authorities in front of the provincial military police office on Friday night.

The driver and passenger fled the scene and, despite police pursuit, evaded arrest, authorities said.

According to Ith Sothear, Kampong Thom provincial court prosecutor, police pursued the vehicle from Trapaing Russey commune to the military police office in Baray district.

However, instead of pulling over, the drivers threw open the car doors and jumped from the still-moving vehicle into a rice field, while the truck careered into another military vehicle.

No one was injured in the crash.

“We believe [they] used RCAF licence plates in order to trick the police and transport the rosewood,” said Sothea, explaining he did not believe the men to be soldiers or affiliated with the military. “I believe the car belonged to the illegal businessmen.”

Inside the truck, which was travelling from Preah Vihear province to Phnom Penh, police discovered 71 pieces rosewood.

Both the wood and the now-damaged vehicle are being held at the provincial court as evidence for an investigation into the incident.

The insignia of the Intervention Division 3 Command was also found on the inside of the truck door, according a report by the National Police.

However, commander of the division in Preah Vihear province, Srey Doek, denied any connection with the owner of the truck and said he believed the division’s logo was being used illegally.

“I do not think RCAF would commit such an act,” he said, adding that he urged authorities to open an investigation and protect “the name of the RCAF”, which he thought illegal traders might have used to evade the police.

Nhem Sarat, Adhoc’s provincial coordinator, said that RCAF licence plates are not frequently misused for transporting rosewood in Kampong Thom, but the fake plates are frequently spotted on cars.
“In some cases, the RCAF licence plates are used to carry goods without taxes,” he said.

Provincial police said they were not affiliated with the incident.

Military police could not be reached for comment.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/rcaf-plates-found-truck-carrying-timber