Although rejected once before, three nominees to the newly created National Auditing Authority are due to be considered once again by the National Assembly in a vote scheduled for today.
Parliamentarians from the CPP met Monday and agreed to renominate Chheang Vun, a former CPP parliamentarian who now serves as ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, as auditor general.
The meeting, held at CPP headquarters, was called to remind members of the importance of creating the authority, which will oversee the government’s financial actions and perhaps act as a weapon against corruption, according to CPP parliamentarian Cheam Yeap.
Two other nominees, Funcinpec Senator Chea Peng Chheang, a former undersecretary of state for finance, and Sam Ramsek, deputy chairman of the assembly’s finance and banking commission, will be reconsidered for the posts of deputy auditors.
One Funcinpec official said CPP and Funcinpec officials have agreed to a compromise to renominate the three candidates, promising each other that they would persuade previously recalcitrant members to vote in favor of all three this time around.
“I think, this time, the candidates will get a favorable vote,” the official said.
The candidates were rejected in a vote in August, when they failed to receive a two-thirds majority. Opposition party members led the attack against the two Funcinpec candidates, questioning their qualifications and demanding a post for a Sam Rainsy Party member.
A law passed earlier this year requires that appointees to the authority have a university degree. Opponents to the Funcinpec nominees had dismissed their credentials as inadequate.
Sam Ramsek, for example, included a certificate from an automotive seminar in the US in which he was awarded a “Doctor of Motors” degree. He also submitted a copy of his 1967 bachelor of science degree from California State College in Long Beach.
“I don’t support them at all. I will vote against them again,” said opposition parliamentarian Lon Phon. “It is strange to hear that they are going to appear again at the assembly.”
Lon Phon said politicians should not be appointed to the authority. He recommended “independent” people who, for example, work at a NGO.
“If they are appointed by their party, then how can they inspect the government?” he asked. “They will listen to their party leaders and do according to their instruction. We will have no confidence in them.”
High-ranking CPP parliamentarian Chea Soth said Tuesday that he fully supports all three candidates. “If the vote fails this time, we will consider them again,” he said.
