The government has transferred a total of 22 deputy governors in Phnom Penh and the provinces of Kandal, Kampong Speu, Tbong Khmum, Kampot and Mondulkiri, while Minister of National Defence General Tea Banh has also transferred and reappointed 17 officials of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) this month.

Government spokesman Phay Siphan told The Post that the purpose of transferring and reappointing deputy provincial governors is to strengthen good governance at the sub-national level and to push for more efficient public service provision.

Kandal provincial governor Kong Sophorn said the transfer and appointment were all made according to administrative needs.

“This reshuffle is not a punishment. Normally, the work of each office is not the same and our abilities and awareness of things differ. So, being transferred elsewhere after four to five years’ performance of work in one capacity is not done out of concerns about inability,” he told The Post on August 23.

Pech Pisey, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia, said the reshuffle is a good opportunity for the next generation to gain new work experiences, and that the process of adjusting sub-national administrative work should be done from time to time to meet the needs of people.