The work of police chief Hok Lundy's multi-million dollar legacy at Svay Rieng University would continue

Police Chief’s University Worries After Loss
By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 November 2008




When late police chief Hok Lundy died in a helicopter crash Sunday, he
left behind a multi-million dollar legacy, Svay Rieng University, and
students here say they are now worried their academic futures will be
jeopardized.

The death of Hok Lundy, who suffered heavy criticism for his human
rights record but was a major contributor Svay Rieng province, where
he was raised, could mean less money for scholarships, materials and
construction at the university, students said.

Hok Lundy contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the
university to sponsor scholarships in the name of Prime Minister Hun
Sen, Svay Rieng Governor Cheang Am said Friday.

“Hok Lundy paid more than $1 million for the construction of Svay
Rieng University, and he paid $200,000 per year for scholarships under
Hun Sen,” Cheang Am said.

The university now has more than 2,000 students, more than half of
whom are on the Hun Sen scholarships, Cheang Am said.

“Hok Lundy’s death will affect our studies at the university,” said
Sok Navuth, 21, who is studying on such a scholarship. “The majority
of students have been sponsored by Hok Lundy. When we’ve lost Hok
Lundy, we’ve lost our sponsor.”

Svay Rieng University, near the center of Svay Rieng town, the
provincial capital, consists of one building of 50 classrooms
surrounded by gardens and backed by dormitories for men and women.

Its computers, chairs, tables, desks, books and research materials
were all purchased by Hok Lundy, Cheang Am said.

Students learn management, rural development, information technology,
agronomy, law, political science and other subjects.

Many said they don’t believe accusations leveled at the former police
chief, a powerful Cambodian People’s Party official aligned with Prime
Minister Hun Sen who rights groups say collaborated in murder,
execution, a deadly grenade attack and human trafficking.

Nuon Sopheak, 22, who is studying English literature, said this week
students were worried about diminished academic chances.

Hok Lundy had promised a new wing to the university, Nuon Sopheak
said, and he encouraged students to do well and seek work in Bavet
commune, Chantrea district, on the Vietnam border, where he hoped to
develop a modern city.

“Hok Lundy always came to meet the students in the university, once a
month,” she said, “and he would give recommendations to students in
the university: ‘Try to study hard, then after university you can get
a job in Bavet.’”

Governor Cheang Am said he had been reassured that Prime Minister Hun
Sen would work with Hok Lundy’s wife, Men Pheakdey, and family to
continue to develop the project started by Hok Lundy.
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