The Anti-Corruption Unit headquarters in the capital’s Daun Penh district. Hong Menea
The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has received more than 10,000 asset and debt declarations from state officials, with fewer than 30 failing to meet the January 31 deadline.
The ACU requires state officials to declare their assets and debt every two years. For 2022, officials had to submit their declaration documents between January 1 and 31.
The ACU’s asset declaration and debt department said in a January 31 report that a total of 14,447 declaration documents had been received, with 12 submitted on the final day.
Aside from the biennial declarations, the ACU also received another 415 forms from 296 newly appointed state officials, 104 retirees, 13 who had relinquished their positions, and two who had been dismissed.
Khoy Limhong, assistant to the ACU, said only a small number of state officials had failed to submit their forms.
“Officials at some institutions have not yet submitted the declaration, but the number is very low, less than 30. The Ministry of Commerce still has one official who has not completed the form. Among the remaining officials, some could not be reached, while others had moved abroad,” he said.
Although the deadline for submission had passed, the ACU was still accepting declarations that were delayed because of reasonable causes. But those who intentionally tried to conceal their assets would be subject to legal proceedings, he noted.
According to Limhong, around 50,000 officials are liable to declare their assets and debts, 35,000 of them declare in odd numbered years such as 2019 and 2021, while the remaining 15,000 others must declare in even numbered years like 2022.
Cambodia has required all state officials to declare their assets and debts since 2011. It is mandatory for members of the Senate and National Assembly, elected state officials, as well as judges, prosecutors, court clerks and officials to submit these declarations.
All ACU officials and those in the civil service, military or police who have been appointed by royal decree or sub-decree, and officials appointed through prakas, must also declare their assets and debts.
