Mr Kheng said the titles were an incentive. KT/Ven Rathavong

Kheng defends new royal title

Khmer Times | 3 May 2017

Interior Minister Sar Kheng has defended the creation of the new royal title “Sante Bandit” after critics claimed it would create division in society.
 

The title has been bestowed on 13 senior Interior Ministry officials to recognize their efforts in maintaining security and public order.
 

Speaking at a ceremony to honour the 13 officials yesterday, Mr Kheng responded to an unnamed analyst who he said had spoken out against the titles.
 

Mr Kheng said the titles were an incentive for those who had devoted their lives to protecting national security and public order for more than 40 years. “We should encourage people who do good things, rather than breeding a culture of jealousy,” he said.
 

“We should appreciate them.”
 

Mr Kheng added that the titles were a fair reward for officials who had made great achievements.  
 

A royal decree signed by acting head of state Samdech Say Chhum said the title had been conceived to honour those who made great contributions to national security and were skilled in commanding police forces.

 

When the creation of the titles was announced last month, political analyst Meas Ny was quoted by media as saying the move would create further division in society.
 

Mr Nee said it was good to encourage government officials, but suggested new titles were unnecessary and existing laws already contained provisions to reward public servants.  
 

In the past, senior police were awarded with honorary doctorates from the Cambodian Police Academy. This title, which is also affiliated to the academy, is intended to replace these doctorates.
 

The 13 recipients include Interior Ministry secretaries of state Gen Em Sam An, Gen Teng Savong, Gen Ouk Kimlek and Gen Dul Koeun, ministry under-secretaries of state Gen Lour Ramin, Heng Hak and Chan Ean and National Police Chief Gen Neth Savouen.
 

Gen Mao Bunnarin, the director-general of logistics and finance, Gen Sok Phal, the director-general of immigration, Gen Mao Chandara, the director-general of identification, Chan Kimseng, the director-general of prisons, and Khieu Sopheak, the chief of the Interior Minister’s cabinet, also received the title.