Senior police officials ordered to retire

TWENTY-EIGHT senior police officials – five five-star lieutenant generals, 15 major generals and eight brigadier generals – were ordered to retire by a royal decree issued by King Norodom Sihamoni on October 4.

Yim Simony, the deputy director at the National Police’s central Department of Justice, was among those named. He told the Post that he did not lament the decision as he thought it was time for the next generation to take over the reins.

“I’ve reached retirement age and deserve a good rest. I want the younger generation to be able to serve the public. Even though I want to continue working, it’s impossible.

“I will always respect any future appointments made by our leaders,” Simony said.

He said the Ministry of Interior would follow up the decree with its own press release before asking the retirees to fill in forms and submit them to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation so they can receive their pensions.

Under Cambodian law, all male officials over the age of 60 and female officials over 55 are required to retire from the public sector. Officials who remain in their posts for 30 years receive 80 per cent of their salary upon retirement. Those who leave earlier receive 70 per cent.

Affiliated Network for Social Accountability executive director San Chey told The Post that some officials would lie about their age to have the opportunity to continue working.

“We already know that some older officials reduce their age to continue working. Some officials are scrutinised closely so when they retire, younger people can take their place. Institutions must recruit officials in a transparent manner,” he said.

In January, Prime Minister Hun Sen issued a sub-degree ordering former Meanchey district police chiefs Som Koeun and Teng Sino to retire. The subdecree ordered all relevant institutions including the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Economy and Finance to implement the sub-decree within a day.