Phnom Penh governor Khuong Sreng on Tuesday told the newly appointed municipal police chief to continue preventing protests and crimes of all kinds in the capital.

Sar Thet, who maintains his position as deputy National Police chief, replaced Chuon Sovann who has been promoted as deputy head of the National Authority for Combating Drug.

The directive was made during a ceremony attended by some 300 officials at the municipal police headquarters.

Sreng said the political situation in Cambodia is currently under the close scrutiny of national and international organisations and some Western countries that support the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Without elaborating, the governor went on to blame the international community for interfering in the Kingdom’s internal affairs and hindering the government’s development efforts.

Focusing on security, Sreng said crimes of all sorts are continuing unabated, causing public disorder and spoiling the image of the government. He urged leaders of relevant institutions to be more vigilant.

“You must keep an eye out for drug crimes while improving the efficiency of law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and distribution in all venues, including entertainment parlours in Phnom Penh,” he said.

Sovann, the former municipal police chief, boasted of his success during his tenure in curbing protests of all kinds, be it land disputes, minimum wage, border and environment issues.