Phnom Penh acquires two new deputy governors

Council of Ministers official Nuon Pharath was appointed Phnom Penh’s deputy governor in an announcement last week. Facebook

Mon, 26 June 2017

Mech Dara

p

The government has tapped two officials to become new deputy governors in Phnom Penh, including former Pursat Provincial Deputy Governor Keut Che, and Nuon Pharath, a staffer at the Council of Ministers with close ties to the youth organisation led by the premier’s youngest son.

The moves, made official with a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday, will see current Deputy Phnom Penh Governor Trak Thai Seang shifted to the Interior Ministry.

They follow the promotion of Khoung Sreng from a deputy governor to the governorship earlier this month.

Che was previously the deputy chief of the Phnom Penh City Hall cabinet and played a prominent role in mediating land disputes, including the controversial eviction of thousands of families from the Boeung Kak community.

Pharath, meanwhile, worked at the Council of Ministers but also held a position on the permanent committee for the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia, a group led by the premier’s youngest son Hun Many, who is also a lawmaker.

Kampong Speu Governor Vei Samnang said Pharath was his former teacher and, in his opinion, was well suited for the job.

“He will be a good deputy governor,” Samnang said.

City Hall spokesman Met Measpheakdey said a swearing-in ceremony for Parath, Che and Sreng would likely be held on Wednesday.