Two senior traffic police officials on Sunday denied allegations in an anonymous letter that they have been taking bribes from transport companies to intervene if their vehicles were seized by traffic police.

The anonymous letter said Chev Hak, Phnom Penh municipal deputy police chief in charge of traffic, and Sem Kunthea, Phnom Penh traffic police bureau chief, received between $500 and $1,000 a month from each firm.

“The trucks … used 'PN' and 'KT' stickers on their windscreens. Trucks bearing the stickers have been released immediately after being impounded by traffic police for entering Phnom Penh at the wrong time or for using unauthorised routes,” the letter said.

Hak and Kunthea on Sunday denied the allegations, saying the letter contained “false information”.

“I don’t know whether the anonymous letter was written by a traffic police official or someone else, but it’s not true. It’s an attempt to divide traffic police officials.

“Is it possible that I accept monthly payments between $500 and $1,000 from transport companies in return for not cracking down on them when [I] know that this is illegal?” Hak asked.