Funcinpec Official Fired Over Alleged Ties to SRP

Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday sacked Hun Phoeung, Funcinpec secretary of state for the Defense Ministry, over his alleged affiliation with the SRP, officials said Sunday.

Funcinpec President Keo Puth Rasmey said that he was informed by party Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay on Friday that Mr Poeung, who was appointed following the 2008 elections, was fired.

“Mr Nhiek Bun Chhay told me that Samdech prime minister said that [Mr Phoeung] was involved with the opposition par­ty,” Mr Puth Rasmey said, adding that he had no other de­tails about the firing.

Mr Puth Rasmey said that Funcinpec would not oppose the decision to fire Mr Phoeung. Mr Bun Chhay could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Chum So­cheat confirmed that Mr Phoeung was fired but said he did not know why.

Mr Phoeung said Sunday that he was unaware that he had been removed as secretary of state and denied that he had any affiliation with the SRP.

“For the last several years, I haven’t contacted even one opposition party activist,” he said.

SRP lawmaker Yim Sovann said that the firing was a form of “political discrimination” and also denied that Mr Phoeung had any ties to the SRP.

“This is an accusation without any evidence,” he said.

Council of Ministers spokes­man Phay Siphan defended Mr Phoeung’s firing and denied that he had ever been discriminated against.

“All government officials must respect the government policy,” he said, but added that he had no details as to what Mr Phoeung did wrong.

 

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