Cambodia's National Assembly agrees with reshuffle of 10 senior government officials

The National Assembly on Monday passed a government-proposed reshuffle of 10 high-ranking officials from the co-ruling Funcinpec Party.

The shakeup of nine secretaries of state and one senior state minister was agreed with 104 votes for, two votes against, three votes abstaining and one vote invalid, while 110 out of the total of 123 members present, said Heng Samrim, President of the National Assembly.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the replacement of the 10 Funcinpec officials by other members of the party aimed to help implement the national policy for reducing poverty.

"To match the recent situation, I have a real ambition to succeed the historic mission for our country. And therefore we have the reshuffle today," he said.

He expressed thanks to the National Assembly for supporting the shakeup, which he proposed on Sept. 19 for the National Assembly to vote on, while citing the officials' incapability to live up to their duties.

Meanwhile, Nhiek Bun Chhay, secretary-general of the Funcinpec Party, told reporters "I am happy that the National Assembly from the three main parties votes to support the new government officials" and they would push the capacity of the government with success.

In addition, You Hockry, second vice-president of the National Assembly from the Funcinpec Party, told Xinhua inside the house that there were 19 lawmakers from the party present during the vote and the others were absent.

He quoted Prince Norodom Ranarith, President of the Funcinpec Party, as saying that he felt sad with the members who lost their positions and extended greetings to the Funcinpec members newly appointed.

Under the reshuffle, Serei Kosal was replaced by Ly Touch as senior state minister, while the replacement of secretaries of state included Chea Chanboribo by Nouv Sovathero at the Information Ministry, Tuot Lux by Meach Sam An at the Justice Ministry, Kassie Neou by Chan Houn at the Justice Ministry, Pok Than by Tea Chen at the Education Ministry.

Additionally, secretaries of state Nuth Nin Doeun at the Tourism Ministry, Hor Sopheap at the Information Ministry, Sok San at the Labor Ministry, Tann Sithan at the Water Resources Ministry, and Nge Chhay Ly at the Commerce Ministry, were also replaced by their party colleagues.

Earlier last month, the Senate already approved the appointment of nine other Funcinpec Party members to replace their colleagues as under-secretary of states.

The Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the Funcinpec Party are the co-rulers of the kingdom's third government.

In the National Assembly, CPP has 73 seats, Funcinpec 26 and the opposition Sam Rainsy Party 24.

Source: Xinhua