Prime Minister Hun Sen has forwarded to the National Assembly a request to reshuffle his cabinet, apparently acting on an idea he first mentioned late last month in a speech lambasting ministers’ shortcomings.

Leng Peng Long, secretary general of the National Assembly, yesterday confirmed receiving the request, saying it was intended “in order to make the government work more effectively”, but declined to comment on the ministries involved.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan maintained that he was unaware of the details of the change-ups – which were “a secret of the prime minister” – saying he didn’t “know about this information, but after reading the news online, our officials feel shock”.

In the speech in which he first raised the idea, the premier singled out Agriculture Minister Ouk Rabun and Public Works Minister Tram Iv Tek as failing to perform.

Meanwhile, seven ambassadors have been either promoted or reshuffled, according to a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni in January and obtained yesterday.

Tan Bunpa was promoted to ambassador to Kuwait and a handful of other Gulf nations, and is replacing Sman Manan, who was transferred to act as ambassador to Egypt.

Roth Many was named ambassador to Malaysia, replacing Princess Norodom Arun Rasmey.

Chem Vidya will replace Nut Narang as ambassador to France and a number of other European nations.

Meanwhile, Measket David has been named ambassador to UNESCO.