National Assembly president Heng Samrin pays tribute to the late Nguon Nhel on Saturday. HENG SAMRIN VIA FACEBOOK
The funeral of the late First Vice-President of the National Assembly (NA) Nguon Nhel will be held on November 8 in his hometown in Balaing commune’s Trapeang Svay village of Kampong Thom province’s Baray district, according to NA spokesman Leng Peng Long.
Nguon Nhel passed away on November 5 from illness at the age of 79.
“[The] funeral procession and burial [of Nguon Nhel] will take place in Trapeang Svay village. His body will be buried with his late wife,” Peng Long told The Post on November 7.
The presidents of the NA and Senate as well as the head of government along with ministers and other dignitaries offered their condolences and paid their last respect to Nguon Nhel’s family at his residence in Prek Pra commune of Phnom Penh’s Chbar Ampov district.
Senate president Say Chhum on November 6 led a delegation to lay a wreath and pay respect to Nguon Nhel’s family.
Say Chhum said the passing of Nguon Nhel was the loss of one of Cambodia’s most prominent political figures who had achieved much and had built and defended the nation with the highest capacity and responsibility.
“His Excellency Nguon Nhel made great sacrifices to contribute to the liberation of the motherland and the people of Cambodia from the genocidal [Khmer Rouge] regime to rebuild the nation and achieve development in all sectors,” he said.
NA president Heng Samrin on November 6 also paid tribute to the family of Nguon Nhel.
“The death of His Excellency Nguon Nhel was not only the loss of a father, father-in-law and grandfather of loving-kindness, compassion, appreciative joy and equanimity, but also the loss of an exemplary human resource.
“He was an outstanding figure. He sacrificed physical and mental strength and resources to serve the motherland without fear,” Samrin said.
While extending his condolences, Prime Minister Hun Sen said Nguon Nhel was an “outstanding dignitary full of willingness and conscience to serve the nation, religion, and the monarchy in all circumstances”.
“He had actively contributed to promoting and upholding the principles and values of the Rule of Law.
Nguon Nhel was one of the Standing Committee members of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and also served as head of its Working Group for Kampong Thom province.
According to the Ministry of Information, Nguon Nhel was born on December 22, 1942, to a farming family in Kampong Thom province’s Baray district. He had held the position of NA vice-president since 1998.
