In a continuing reshuffle of powerful provincial CPP officials ahead of the national election in July, Prime Minister Hun Sen’s brother, Kompong Cham governor Hun Neng, stood down from his position on Monday to be replaced by his deputy, Lun Limthai, officials said.
Mr. Neng joins Mr. Hun Sen’s youngest son, Hun Many, in standing as a ruling party candidate for a seat in the National Assembly.
“I have been appointed as the new governor of Kompong Cham province this morning, and His Excellency Hun Neng, the old provincial governor, will become a lawmaker of Kompong Cham province,” Mr. Limthai said.
“The deputy director of the provincial planning department, Chim Leav, and deputy provincial administration chief, Ms. Sy Vantha, were also appointed as deputy provincial governors,” Mr. Limthai said, adding that three new district governors were also appointed during the ceremony.
The change of positions were the latest in a long line of recent reshuffles administered recently by the CPP to allow provincial officials the chance to be elected as parliamentarians for the fifth mandate of the legislative body.
In all, new provincial governors have been appointed in Phnom Penh, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Kandal, Kompong Thom, Kompong Speu, Mondolkiri, Stung Treng, Siem Reap and Kompong Cham provinces so that their former governors can run as lawmaker candidates in the elections.
Interior Ministry Secretary of State Sak Setha said the new appointees were chosen in order to take over from an older generation who had already proven their worth.
“We appointed our officials publically; we did not change the party quota,” he said.
But according to independent political analyst Lao Mong Hay, the reshuffle would likely not change the way the provinces are run.
“Appointing new governors in these provinces or cities is just changing the leaders, but the political principles will be the same as before,” he said.
“Most of the key positions are held by members of the Cambodian People’s Party, so they only appoint their own members.”
