Inspection minister Sok Soken and officials from the inspection ministry during a memorial service for the late King Father. Inspections ministry
New government sub-decree redefines the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Inspection.
It emphasises good governance, transparency and accountability through inspections, complaint resolution and law enforcement across all public administrative institutions.
According to the new decree – signed by Prime Minister Hun Manet on January 13 – the ministry is tasked with preparing and implementing policies, strategic plans, legal norms and action plans to oversee the inspection sector.
“Its role also includes monitoring the duties and public service functions of ministries, public entities and sub-national administrations to promote governance, efficiency and integrity in public administration, except as determined by specific separate legal documents,” said the sub-decree.
The ministry is responsible for conducting inspections under circumstances that indicate potential legal violations. It must also implement preventive measures for public officials whose behaviour impacts the delivery of public services, national development and good governance.
The ministry’s functions include submitting proposals based on inspection findings to ministers, institutional heads, public entities, public institutions, administrative bodies, public enterprises and provincial governors. These proposals aim to enhance performance or discipline officials who engage in misconduct.
“The Ministry of Inspection examines and resolves complaints, including defamation complaints, regarding legal entities and public officials under the Royal Government’s jurisdiction, except in cases specified by separate legal provisions,” stated the new sub-decree.
The ministry is also tasked with conducting surveys and research, as well as addressing complaints, when ordered to do so by the head of the Royal Government. It monitors the resolution of complaints and ensures that outcomes are reviewed and acted upon by relevant authorities.
The ministry has the authority to publicise inspection results, oversee the implementation of laws and address complaints already adjudicated by the government.
Inspection minister Sok Soken laid out an 8-point strategy to participate in implementing the government's reforms.
He emphasised that the ministry focuses on institutional capacity building, the development of human capital, and the drafting of laws and regulations under the its jurisdiction.
These measures aim to enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement monitoring and implement the recommendations of the government leadership while strengthening the institution's inspection capabilities.
“The ministry is committed to disseminating laws, addressing complaints and fostering collaboration and partnerships with public, private and other key stakeholders,” said the minister, in a statement.
“These efforts aim to facilitate information exchange and enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement,” he added.
Finally, he underscored the ministry’s adoption of digital technology to improve the efficiency of inspection operations, complaint handling and resolution processes.
Soken also announced that the ministry’s website will be developed into a comprehensive electronic tool serving the public by facilitating research, acting as a forum for information dissemination, responding to inquiries, and receiving complaints and feedback from the general public.
This initiative aims to enhance the ministry’s roles and responsibilities while improving the efficiency of the inspection sector in Cambodia.
The sub-decree also instructs the ministry to organise public forums, educational programmes and disseminate laws, policies and legal documents to the public.
According to Article 3, the ministry is responsible for inspecting and monitoring the enforcement of laws across all sectors, utilising a variety of approaches.
It addresses complaints and defamation issues from legal entities and individuals, with particular attention to irregularities highlighted in inspection reports by ministries and institutions. It also tracks and evaluates measures taken by these inspection units.
The ministry comprises several national and sub-national units.
Article 33 of the sub-decree states that legal documents governing the establishment, organisation and operation of the ministry’s units remain valid until new legal documents are issued in compliance with this sub-decree.
