The fired director of the Neak Leung ferry was finally evicted from his office Wednesday after receiving a provincial court order, a ferry official said.
Ministry of Public Works and Transportation Undersecretary of State Suong Heng said Thursday the former ferry director, Um Luonn, was relieved of his duties in June after he was found guilty of stealing gasoline.
His eviction followed four government directives—all of them ignored—instructing Um Luonn to evacuate the premises, his successor, Seng Chhuon, said.
Um Luonn said Thursday that Prime Minister Hun Sen’s order for him to step down was only temporary and that he had a right to remain in his office. He complained that he did not have time to gather his belongings.
“I asked them for some more time to remove my things, but they wouldn’t agree and removed my stuff right away,” he said.
“He used the office to cook rice. He and his wife slept there,” Seng Chhuon said Thursday.
Um Luonn also complained that his punishment was unduly harsh. “I will appeal the case because I did a little bit wrong, but not so much,” he said.
He also said the inspectors who found him guilty of corruption suggested that he pay them $20,000 to stop the investigation.
Um Luonn said he offered $3,000, but they refused. Ty Hok, undersecretary of the Ministry of the National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspections denied that his inspectors had sought bribes. He said Um Luonn took more than 100 million riel (about $25,000) worth of gasoline.
