Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Meas Chanpiseth has been transferred to a prosecutor position at the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court, according to a royal decree signed on Wednesday.

The decree also transferred Banteay Meanchey prosecutor Phann Vanrath to a position at the Ministry of Justice.

Neither Vanrath nor Chanpiseth could be reached for comment yesterday.

Justice Ministry spokesman Chin Malin said yesterday that the transfer was routine procedure. “In an effort to manage the staff and the effectiveness of the work, generally we transfer people from one place to another to learn and to provide them good experience,” he said. “When people stay too long in one place, it is not good . . . it could create nepotism.”

Transferees to Banteay Meanchey have seen their careers improved in the past. Yet Chakriya was made Phnom Penh court chief prosecutor after a stint in Banteay Meanchey. And disgraced ex-judge Ang Maltey – who was ultimately jailed amid allegations of bribe taking – was made Phnom Penh court president after spending time in Banteay Meanchey.