Takeo gov transferred to Interior Ministry HQ
LAY Vannak, the governor of Takeo province, was transferred to the Ministry of Interior on Monday in a move that saw his deputy, Ouch Phea, promoted to the top job.
A Royal Decree signed by acting head of state Say Chhum says Vannak will be transferred to work at the ministry’s headquarters. No other details or explanation have been given for the move. Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak characterised the transfer as a normal course of action for public servants.
“It is not his inheritance that he needs to hold it forever,” Sopheak said. “Public service officials must be swapped.”
He said Vannak’s new role is still unknown, but would be decided by Interior Minister Sar Kheng.
In a statement on Facebook, Vannak mourned his departure but also did not give an explanation. “Though I am swapped to another place, my heart is here in Takeo province with the people,” Vannak said. “I still miss, respect and love the officials, colleagues, armed forces and people in Takeo province!”
Vannak, the former deputy governor of Takeo, became governor just over three years ago. He drew the public rebuke of Kheng twice, first in 2014 when he blocked a Human Rights Day march and again late last year when he expressed his unhappiness with a proposal to strip provincial governors of their power to hire and dismiss staff.
“I didn’t bring the provincial governors together to [attack] the ministers,” Kheng had responded at the time. “This principle is proper.”