Recently removed RCAF commander in chief Ke Kim Yan will not be receiving any position until after May’s district, provincial and municipal council election, according to a senior CPP lawmaker.
Prime Minister Hun Sen met Friday with CPP and Senate President Chea Sim and National Assembly President Heng Samrin to discuss the council elections, CPP spokesman and standing committee member Cheam Yeap said Sunday.
But the three leaders did not discuss Ke Kim Yan’s case, said Cheam Yeap, adding that the CPP permanent committee would not meet again before May’s elections to give the ousted general his new assignment.
“Giving Ke Kim Yan a new position is not urgent,” he added.
Asked about Ke Kim Yan’s involvement in land disputes, which reportedly led to his removal, Cheam Yeap said he should be punished if found guilty of such allegations.
“There is administrative punishment and there is the case that must be filed to the court,” he said Sunday.
Heng Samrin couldn’t be reached for comment Monday. His cabinet chief, Koam Kosal, confirmed that the Friday meeting took place but added it was confidential and he knew nothing of what was discussed.
The removal of Ke Kim Yan on Jan 22 was accompanied by reshuffling at the top of the military with a number of promotions given to military men with longstanding ties to the prime minister, including his bodyguard chief Hing Bun Heang being made a deputy commander in chief.
On Sunday, Defense Ministry Secretary of State General Neang Phat confirmed that the deputy chief of Hun Sen’s bodyguard, Huy Piseth, has been made an undersecretary of state at the Defense Ministry.
“I know [Huy Piseth] was promoted last week, but I have not yet seen the official royal decree,” Neang Phat said by telephone Monday.
When contacted on the phone and asked about his promotion, Huy Piseth said he could not talk because he was in a meeting.
