Ferry Director Refuses To Pay Back Gov’t

Prek Kdam Ferry dock director Phat Sareth has been asked to pay about $77,000 in compensation to the government and va­cate his position amid accusations he pocketed ferry money.

But Phat Sareth has rejected the requests, which came after an investigation into ferry expenses by an inspection group from the Ministry of Finance. The inspectors suggested the repayment and said the Ministry of Public Works and Transport should transfer him from the Kandal province ferry dock to another post.

The inspectors’ report recommends the Ministry of Finance  withhold all funding for the ferry until Phar Sareth is removed.

“The inspectors accuse me of keeping money in my pocket  and say the expense figures are all wrong,” Phat Sareth said. “I do not agree. All the expenses are listed. All the money I gave to staff members and workers here is in the same tradition as every other place in government.”

One member of the inspection committee, who requested anon­ymity, said $77,000 is a conservative estimate of the money Phat Sareth should pay back.

“We have reports that he cheat­ed millions of riel from cement truck drivers and logging trucks,” the inspector said. “A cement truck driver in Kompong Cham province told us he paid Phat Sareth to cross on the ferry, and never received a receipt. But we have no proof.”

Kuy Kim Phan, undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said he agreed with the inspectors’ recommendation to move Phat Sareth.

“If a person stays too long in one place, more corruption can happen,” Kuy Kim Phan said. “Changing [positions] is better.

Still Kuy Kim said that al­though Phat Sareth participated in some corruption, it was not much and he needs to continue his investigation. “I see leaders and the workers at the dock not working well together,” he said. “I do not support anyone, but I have to make sure and find out the truth.”

Prek Dam Ferry workers who asked for anonymity said they were afraid Phat Sareth could pay a bribe and somehow keep his position. “We don’t want him to be boss here any more,” one worker said. “He does not care about working conditions. He only knows how to be corrupt.”