Hun Sen Does the Cabinet Shuffle

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Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s decided to revamp his cabinet as three long-serving ministers agreed to give up their posts in a move that appears to be an attempt to shore up the strongman’s image before the 2018 election.

“The plan is that on April 4, there will be a vote to reshuffle the composition of the government in order to ensure the work will be more effective,” Hun Sen told students at a graduation ceremony in Phnom Penh.

“In here, there were no bad ministers. It’s just that some ministers were appointed but acted slowly in their own positions,” he said. “It doesn’t mean that all these ministers are to be removed, but it is required so that the work will be done in a more effective manner.”

The changes come as Hun Sen gears up for what looks like tough races for the Cambodian People’s Party in 2017 commune elections and a 2018 general election.

Hun Sen and his CPP have ruled the country for 31 years, but corruption, deforestation, land grabs and other social issues have become campaign issues. Hun Sen and the CPP want to prove they can institute reforms before the elections.

Yim Sovann, a spokesman for the rival Cambodia National Rescue Party, cast doubt on the moves.

“I can say, just wait and see. At least it is one step and that is better than nothing at all,” he said. “It’s better than the fact that there is no change at all.”

According to a list of proposed changes submitted to parliament, Hun Sen accepted the resignation of Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, who held the post for 18 years, a government spokesman told RFA’s Khmer Service. Telecommunications Minister Prak Sokhon will succeed him, the spokesman said.

Hor Namhong resigns

While Hor Namhong, 80, loses his foreign affairs portfolio, he retains the deputy prime minister title, government spokesman Phay Siphan explained.

Hor Namhong chaired the controversial 2012 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting, in which he was accused of bowing to pressure from China to scuttle a joint ASEAN communique for the first time in its 45-year history.

Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon and Im Chhun Lim, the land management minister, are also resigning.

Commerce Minister Sun Chanthol will become transport minister, replacing Tram Iv Tek, who takes the telecommunications portfolio. Finance Minister Aun Porn Moniroth will be named a senior minister in addition to his current post.

Changes are also afoot at the ministries of land management, agriculture, rural and religious affairs.

Im Chhun Lim, the land management minister, is being replaced by Chea Sophara, who in turn will be replaced by rural affairs minister by Ouk Rabun, the outgoing agriculture minister.

Veng Sakhon, the secretary of state at the Water Resources Ministry, will take over for Rabun at the Agriculture Ministry.

Cults and Religion Minister Min Khin will switch positions with Him Chhem, a senior minister in charge of special missions.

Im Suosdey, who headed the National Election Committee until it was overhauled last year, has been appointed as a secretary of state at the Interior Ministry.

Reported for RFA’s Khmer Service by Sereyvuth Uong and Vuthy Tha. Translated by Pagnawath Khun. Written in English by Brooks Boleik.

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/hun-sen-does-the-cabinet-shuffle-03182016163359.html

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Names of New Ministers Released

Khmer Times/Taing Vida and Ros Chanveasna

Friday, 18 March 2016

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In a proposal letter signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen and posted to Facebook on Friday, the government named the ministers who will be replaced or moved to other positions within the government.

In one of the biggest shakeups, current Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Prak Sokhon will replace Hor Namhong as Foreign Minister. Minister of Public Works and Transport Tram Iv Toek will take over for Mr. Sokhon. Despite being removed from his position at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Namhong will keep his position as deputy Prime Minister.

Sun Chanthol, the current Minister of Commerce, is being moved to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and secretary of state at the Commerce Ministry Pan Sorasak will be taking his place.

Im Chun Lim of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction will be swapped out for Chea Sophara, now the Minister of Rural Development. Ouk Rabun, the current Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, will take the helm at the Rural Development Ministry. His post will be handed over to Veng Sakhorn, secretary of state at the Ministry of Water Resources.

Minister of Cults and Religious Affairs Min Khin will be removed from his position and the spot will be taken by Him Chhem, the former Minister of Culture and Fine Arts. Mr. Khin will take over the role of Special Minister in charge of special missions.

Mr. Hun Sen retained Economic and Finance Minister Aun Pormoniroth while promoting him to the position of “Senior Minister” in the government. Mr. Hun Sen appointed 11 new cabinet members and announced the early retirement of four provincial governors.

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