Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Siem Reap chief locked out of office by predecessor

Siem Reap chief locked out of office by predecessor

Siem Reap’s Sangkat Sala Kamreuk commune chief, Chen Sokngeng, 26, was locked out of his commune hall office by his predecessor.
Siem Reap’s Sangkat Sala Kamreuk commune chief, Chen Sokngeng, 26, was locked out of his commune hall office by his predecessor. Photo supplied

Siem Reap chief locked out of office by predecessor

More than a week after newly elected commune chiefs were sworn in, an opposition commune chief in Siem Reap has complained that his predecessor had locked the office he was meant to occupy, impeding his administrative work.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party’s Sala Kamroeuk commune chief, Chen Sokngeng, said the outgoing commune chief, Sam Lan, had locked the commune chief’s office and told him to find another room instead.

“He is not commune chief so why does he still want the commune chief’s room? The room should be given to the new elected [chief],” he said.

Sokngeng said he has been unable to enter the room since he was sworn in on July 3, and said Lan’s refusal to vacate the room would be an inauspicious start to their working together on the commune council. He added that he was looking into what actions he can take to get back the room.

For his part, Lan said that Sokngeng was making a mountain out of a molehill, noting the commune office was previously a Buddhist religious hall and he just created a room for himself in the building. “There is a big space and plenty of tables and chairs. I told him to prepare another room for work. Why do we have to argue over just a tiny problem?” he said.

Two similar cases were reported in Phnom Penh and Prea Sihanouk province last week. In Preah Sihanouk, CNRP Commune 1 Chief Ouk Chettany said the former CPP chief also refused to vacate the commune chief’s office, citing his long-term use of the room, which contained all his administrative documents.

Reached yesterday, Chettany said he had decided to drop the issue, despite reporting the incident to the provincial governor, saying he will find another office in order to ensure a harmonious working environment with his CPP predecessor, Chhit Sophat, who is now first deputy chief. “I will announce in the upcoming [commune] meeting that I will hand over that room to [Sophat] to encourage him to work well with us,” he said.

In Phnom Penh’s Veal Vong commune, new chief Chhout Chhath said outgoing chief Keo Sakol had refused to vacate her room, and he was instead working out of the office’s meeting room. Chhath could not be reached yesterday but his first deputy, Heng Seang Leang, said Sakol had finally agreed to leave the office on Friday.

In another handover hiccup, CNRP Poipet Commune Chief Chao Veasna, in Banteay Meanchey, missed his swearing in on account of being in pre-trial detention for allegedly inciting a riot at the border town’s customs office in 2015.

While he is still commune chief, Veasna had delegated authority to his fellow opposition member and First Deputy Chief Kang Sokhoeun, Sokhoeun said, adding that he was still taking occasional instructions from the jailed chief on administrative matters. “He called to remind me to work for the people and try to avoid internal conflict. He called from the prison phone, so I cannot call him back.”

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication