Timber magnate Try Pheap, often accused of running one of the largest illegal logging operations in Cambodia, accepted an honorary doctorate in economics from the IIC University of Technology on Thursday for what the rector described as his many financial contributions to the state.
Proudly donning a traditional black cap and gown, Mr. Pheap accepted the framed diploma from Prime Minister Hun Sen—whom he serves as an adviser—at the university’s graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh.
The university convened a 15-member committee in mid-February to discuss whether to award the doctorate.
At Thursday’s ceremony, school rector Chhuon Chanthan heaped lavish praise on Mr. Pheap for the many roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and pagodas he has built with his fortune, not to mention his annual contributions to the Cambodian Red Cross, which is run by Mr. Hun Sen’s wife. Mr. Chanthan also congratulated Mr. Pheap for his investments in rubber plantations, pepper farms, hotels and casinos, some of which he credited with clearing minefields and protecting the country along its borders.
“Every member of the committee admired the achievements of Oknha Try Pheap, and they completely supported awarding the honorary doctorate in economics to the oknha because we have seen that the oknha has enough achievements to get the award,” Mr. Chanthan told the audience.
“Oknha” is an official honorific secured with a minimum $100,000 charitable donation to the state.
Mr. Pheap has found himself the target of well-documented allegations of illegal logging in reports released by NGOs in recent years. Global Witness called the businessman one of Cambodia’s premier “timber gangsters.”
Mr. Pheap has repeatedly denied the allegations.
Contacted after the ceremony, Mr. Chanthan, the school rector, also dismissed the accusations.
“I think the report is not correct because the reports [were done] incorrectly, because many people use his name to do bad things,” he said. “Everything he does, he does according to the law of the Royal Government of Cambodia.”
(Additional reporting by Kuch Naren)
