Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Officials demand chief’s resignation in Tbong Khmum

Officials demand chief’s resignation in Tbong Khmum

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Chong Cheach commune chief Kang Vandy is accused of abusing his power for personal gain. FRESH NEWS

Officials demand chief’s resignation in Tbong Khmum

The governor of Tbong Khmum announced his intention to meet a group of officials from Dambe district’s Chong Cheach commune that is demanding the resignation of its chief, Kang Vandy, due to his alleged abuse of power.

From January 17-22, 19 village chiefs and Chong Cheach commune council members went on strike to demand a change of leadership in the commune.

In a letter of complaint addressed to the governor, the officials accuse Vandy of abusing his power, pressuring subordinates for personal gain, extortion, and threatening to halt the construction of important public infrastructure.

The letter was also signed by commune clerks and teachers.

The governor has received the letter and will summon the officials to hear their grievances, Tbong Khmum provincial administration spokesperson Keng Bunna told The Post on Wednesday.

“He will ask them to express their complaints and then he will make a decision on the matter,” Bunna said.

A commune council member who asked not to be named said Vandy had pressured subordinates by threatening to fire them.

“Many of us will not work until a solution is found. The commune chief is an immoral person who always puts the blames on his subordinates,” he said.

Vandy denied all the allegations against him. He told The Post on Wednesday that a powerful businessman was conspiring with the officials to oust him. Vandy said the businessman was unhappy because he (Vandy) was interfering with his timber business.

“The person behind this letter is a very powerful man who wants me to resign. He is conspiring with the officials to take over my position because they don’t like my leadership. I hope the governor will give me justice,” Vandy said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm