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.
