Authorities in Mondulkiri decided to switch a swearing-in ceremony for two newly elected Keo Seima district councillors to a commune hall after the opposition objected to it being held at the home of the district’s pro-ruling party governor, officials said.

Khum Kan said he and a fellow councillor from the Cambodia National Rescue Party had threatened to boycott today’s ceremony if it took place at Sin Vanvuth’s home.

“[Vanvuth] made his home the [new] district hall several years ago,” Kan said. “He’s the head of the CPP [Cambodian People’s Party] for the district, so how can we join?”

Following the criticism, Vanvuth reluctantly agreed to change the ceremony to another venue one kilometre away.

“When they join [the council], we all work for the people, not the individual parties,” he said, adding the old district hall was dilapidated.

The opposition last night threatened further boycotts if all such ceremonies are not held at public halls.