A group of Funcinpec activists from the provinces descended on Phnom Penh on Monday to demand that the party release the long-awaited assignments of governor and deputy governor positions, which party officials said could be delayed for yet another month while awaiting the approval of Prime Minster Hun Sen.
The group of about 30 activists, most of them party officials from Kampot province, arrived early in the afternoon, said Bun Tha, information chief for Funcinpec party headquarters.
They will meet with officials from Funcinpec headquarters to address their concerns over the long delay in announcing the
74 provincial, district and municipal governor and deputy governor spots, Bun Tha added.
Provincial civil servants have been awaiting word on the fate of the positions promised to Funcinpec since the government’s formation in July.
“They have spent many months waiting for their positions,” Bun Tha said.
Kampot Second Deputy Governor Meng Soun, reached by telephone Monday, confirmed that the group had arrived in Phnom Penh, but he declined to discuss the visit further.
Funcinpec’s assignments have been submitted to Hun Sen, who must issue a subdecree to finalize the appointments, said Kong Hunthearith, a Funcinpec secretary of state for the Interior Ministry. The plethora of public holidays in the last few weeks has delayed the approval, which is now expected by the end of this month, he said.
Though CPP spokesman Khieu Kanharith indicated last month that Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema, a CPP member, will likely stay in his position, all other provincial and municipal postings have remained in limbo. Khieu Kanharith could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Funcinpec’s Secretary-General Prince Norodom Sirivudh is planning visits to Kampot province and Sihanoukville and Kep municipalities to meet with party officials there, said Mao Rotana, the prince’s assistant. He would not disclose further details on the reason for the prince’s visit.
