Minister Sar Kheng lashed out at his subordinates, accusing them of mismanagement and corruption

Sar Kheng upbraids police for corruption
Written by Vong Sokheng
Tuesday, 30 December 2008

INTERIOR Minister Sar Kheng lashed out at his subordinates, accusing
them of mismanagement and corruption in a speech last week.

Sar Kheng told about 300 police officers on Friday that funds
earmarked for salaries were being siphoned by corrupt and incompetent
officials.

"[Corruption] is a serious mistake and means they are stealing from
the ministry and stealing official salaries by enlarging the budget.
These mistakes will not be tolerated," Sar Kheng said.

Cambodia ranks near the bottom of corruption watchdog Transparency
International's Corruption Perceptions Index, at 166 out of 180
countries.

Sar Kheng, who is also a deputy prime minister, lambasted corruption
in procurement of uniforms, petrol and rice. He called on all levels
of the police financial department to reduce unnecessary spending on
electricity, water and building upkeep.

"These were issues the ministry has to be concerned about. We have to
reform financial management for 2009," Sar Kheng said.

"When we get the budget under control, the ministry will be able to
increase salaries for police officers."

He also announced reforms in the ministry's rice distribution scheme
that gave police officers bags of rice on top of their salaries.

The new system would provide 2,800 riel for each kilogram of rice
given under the old system. A local police official speaking on
condition of anonymity said officers receive between 10 and 20
kilograms of rice on top of the current salary of between $45 and $55
per month, depending on rank.
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