In a move opposition lawmakers called “a useless game” of power sharing, the National Assembly Tuesday voted by an overwhelming majority to replace four ministers with the selections of Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Eighty-six of 100 assembly members voted in favor of Hun Sen’s choices for the cabinet reshuffle. The prime minister was present during the vote, during which four Sam Rainsy Party lawmakers walked out in protest.
Chan Sarun, a CPP-appointed undersecretary of state for the Ministry of Agriculture, is now minister of agriculture, filling the position formerly held by the late Chea Song. Neav Sithong, general prosecutor of the Supreme Court, was approved to replace Justice Minister Uk Vithun. Ly Thuch, formerly secretary of state for rural development, was promoted to minister of rural development. He replaces the ailing Chhim Seak Leng. Huy Kanthoul Vora, an adviser to Prince Norodom Ranariddh, replaces Ly Thuch.
Prime Minister Hun Sen and Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh both said the landslide vote was a positive sign of cooperation between Funcinpec and the CPP.
Hun Sen said that the newly elected ministers are part of the reform process of their respective ministries.
“The successful election shows that the government is encouraging reform,” the premier said said.
The motive behind the removal of Justice Minister Uk Vithun remained cloudy. Hun Sen said Uk Vithun was removed at the request of Funcinpec. Prince Ranariddh declined to comment.
Both Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh said that Neav Sithong will promote reform in his new department. Reform, they said, was slow under Uk Vithun.
Cambodia’s judicial system is often criticized for its lack of independence from the government, something Prince Ranariddh said he hoped Neav Sithong would counteract.
But opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who dismissed the vote as a “useless game” and was one of the parliamentarians to walk out of the assembly, praised Uk Vithun as someone who has “done good work in reform.”
