Police General Meach Sophana was sworn in Tuesday as the new National Police chief of staff, replacing General Mao Chandara who ended his eight-year posting with a promotion to deputy director general of National Police.
Meach Sophana, a counter-terrorism specialist, was promotedfrom brigadier general to major general, Interior Ministry Spokesman Khieu Sopheak said. The ceremony was presided over by Director General of National Police Hok Lundy.
Formerly director of Immigration Police and a long-time assistant to Hok Lundy, Meach Sophana’s rise through the ranks has been meteoric.
“My speciality…is counter-terrorism, money laundering, white-collar crime and human trafficking,” Meach Sophana said on Tuesday.
“I will coordinate all the security work and law enforcement matters” on behalf of the Interior Ministry, Meach Sophana said, adding that he will focus on coordinating anti-crime efforts between provincial authorities, municipalities and specialist police units. Meach Sophana declined to confirm whether his appointment indicated an increased emphasis by police on counter-terrorism. However, Meach Sophana said his experience in the field was probably one element in his selection.
Holding a master’s degree and advanced diploma from New York University, which he attended as a Fulbright scholar, Meach Sophana is well known among the diplomatic corps.
Outgoing chief of staff and new Deputy Director General of National Police Mao Chandara said countering terrorism, drugs and money laundering were a police priority.
“The world is fighting terrorism and we are also focusing on this issue. But it is not our only job, we have many other jobs,” Mao Chandara said Tuesday.
Cambodian police are currently holding three foreigners and one ethnic Cham in prison on charges of terrorism linked to the Indonesian-based militant group Jemaah Islamiyah.
Jemaah Islamiyah’s regional chief, Hambali, was arrested last week in Thailand after having spent several months in hiding in Cambodia.
