Concerned about qualifications and educational background of the candidates, the National Assembly failed Tuesday to ratify the three nominees for the newly created National Auditing Authority.
A two-thirds majority was needed, and only 76 of 122 lawmakers present voted in favor of appointing CPP member Chheang Vun and Funcinpec lawmakers Chea Peng Chheang and Sam Ramsek to oversee the government’s financial actions.
Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Sun Kim Hun led the attack on Chea Peng Chheang and Sam Ramsek, a day after fellow opposition members demanded that one of the three slots go to a Sam Rainsy party member and said existing candidates were unqualified.
“These certificates you have are all incredible,” Sun Kim Hun said, referring to what he indicated were dubious educational backgrounds claimed by candidates.
Chea Peng Chheang claims two master’s degrees, but does not identify the schools. Sam Ramsek has copies of a 1967 bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from California State College in Long Beach and a “Doctor of Motors” degree.
Opposition lawmaker Son Chhay said selecting leaders who don’t have the qualifications required by the auditing law would show more non-transparency in government.
“This is a serious lie,” he said. “How much lying would [there be] if they served in these jobs for the nation?”
The National Assembly will vote on the same three nominees again at a date not yet announced.
