Three officials from Takeo Province were placed in pre-trial detention on November 7 after being charged with abuse of power and misconduct while on duty, according to a spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU).
Soy Chanvichet told CamboJA News that Heng Vuthy, Director of Management and Investment Planning at Takeo Provincial Hall, and officers Mam Vichet and Yun Sothon, were arrested on November 5.
Chanvichet said the trio were suspected of abusing their positions to exploit resources and participate in illegal and improper bidding processes. He also stated that Heng Vuthy and Mam Vichet are suspected of money laundering.
He did not comment further on the money laundering allegations. But with regards to the main case, he said the plaintiffs and unit officers spent a few years investigating and gathering evidence.
Takeo Provincial Governor Vei Samang did not respond, and Deputy Provincial Governor Ly Savet could not be reached.
Lim Horn, Deputy Prosecutor of Takeo Provincial Court, declined to comment, stating that he was busy in a meeting.
According to Cambodia Express News (CEN), Heng Vuthy was accused in 2017 of misconduct for allegedly giving out contracts for development projects to companies owned by his relatives. Vuthy denied any wrongdoing.
Other local media outlets have also reported irregularities in Takeo’s procurement bidding process. On June 21, FBR Hot News posted a video showing a dispute over a road construction bidding exercise in Trapaing Kranhoung commune, Tram Kak district in Takeo.
NRCM TV 24h also shared footage on August 26 of poor-quality road built with commune funds in Traing district, Takeo province, and urged Vuthy to review the road construction.
In November 2020, Kampuchea Thmey reported irregularities in another bidding exercise for development in Takeo’s Samraong and Borei Cholsar districts. The public perceived that the process was biased, as company representatives could only stand near the commune hall and had no secure way to submit their bids.
Early 2024, ACU arrested and sent Kheng Yuan, former Governor of Kep City to court for abuse of power and money laundering.
Pech Pisey, Executive Director of Transparency International Cambodia (TIC), expressed support for the arrest of the officers, describing it as a positive step in tackling corruption.
“The arrest of the officials in Takeo is a positive step which we welcome. I think the people also welcome the action of the government and ACU in the investigation and legal action,” he said.
In the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, Cambodia scored 22 out of 100, which was a two-point decline from the previous year, placing it 158 out of 180 countries globally.
Pisey highlighted the detrimental effect of corruption on public services and infrastructure projects. “Addressing systemic corruption is crucial for providing effective public services to citizens and businesses. Reducing corruption would help save national funds and boost resilience in public investment,” he added.
He further stated that promoting fair competition and curbing corruption could make Cambodia more attractive to investors.
