The single National Assembly vote on Tuesday which solidified Hun Manet’s position as prime minister also ushered in sweeping changes across Cambodia’s top minister roles.
Of Cambodia’s 28 ministries, 20 saw new leaders appointed this week. But Hun Manet’s new cabinet retains intertwined business and family ties — at least eight of the new ministers were related to a minister from the previous cabinet.
As widely expected, the sons of outgoing Interior Minister Sar Kheng and Defense Minister Tea Banh replaced their fathers. Other incoming ministers include Chea Somethy and Sok Soken, children of deceased ruling CPP stalwarts Chea Sim, former senate president, and Sok An, former head of the council of ministers.
Whereas the ages of most of the previous cabinet members were mostly above 60, the average age of the 28 ministry leaders is about 49 years old. (CamboJA was unable to identify the ages of two ministers). The youngest incoming minister is Hun Many, Hun Manet’s younger brother.
Only three of the leaders of the 28 ministries are female and two are incumbents.
Almost all the new ministers were listed as members of the ruling CPP’s Central Committee. Nine of the leaders of new ministries did not run as candidates in the July national elections.
Nine of the 10 deputy prime ministers are new and all but two also lead ministries. Hun Sen’s nephew and former National Police Chief Neth Savoeun was among the newly appointed deputy prime ministers.
Only five of the 28 senior ministers held that position in the previous government.
Many of the new ministers’ spouses retain leadership positions in businesses — in some cases interconnected — and some of the ministers appear listed as active directors of companies, according to Commerce Ministry records.
Check out the list below for further information on each of the leaders of Cambodia’s 28 ministries and two additional ministers:
Minister of the Office of the Council Ministers: Vongsey Vissoth*
* = Also a Deputy Prime Minister.
Replacing: Bin Chhin
Formerly: Secretary of State at the Ministry of Finance and Economy
Age: 58
Vissoth, elected to represent Kandal province, has had a 28 year career in the Ministry of Finance and Economy, most recently serving as a secretary of state since 2013. He obtained a doctorate in economics from the Moscow Institute for International Relations in the early 1990s, according to his ministry biography. He is credited with helping spearhead the cash assistance program during the onset of Covid-19.
Interior Minister: Sar Sokha*
Replacing: Sar Kheng
Formerly: Secretary of State Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
Age: 42
Spouse: Ke Soun Sophy
Sokha, elected as a Prey Veng representative, replaced his father who had held the role of Interior Minister for 30 years.
In 2018 Sokha was promoted to lieutenant general. He is married to Ke Suon Sophy, the daughter of former RCAF commander-in-chief Ke Kim Yan who was removed in 2009 for allegedly using his power to broker land deals. Last year, Sokha denied any interest in serving as prime minister.
He and his wife were directors of Grand Phnom Penh Golf until 2019 and Sokha was until 2018 a director of Jinbei Investment, a company later allegedly linked to human trafficking and scams.
He was chairman of the board of directors of Sokha Sina Rotha — a company named for himself, his younger brother Sar Ratha and his younger sister Sar Sina — which appears linked to shipping across the Vietnam border. Sokha and his brother resigned in July, while Sina remains listed as a director.
Sokha’s wife, Ke Soun Sophy is involved in running numerous businesses, including GoldFX Investment, which in 2021 faced lawsuits from hundreds of investors for allegedly defrauding them of more than $20 million. (The case was later settled).
Sophy’s active business titles include:
- Chairwoman of Bronx Techology Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Forward Sportswear Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of GoldFX Investment Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of P.S.V.T Group CO., LTD.
- Chairwoman of SB Investment Co., LTD.
- Director of KLMDV Co., LTD.
- Director of E K Y C Solutions Co., LTD.
- Director of Y.L.P Microfinance Plc.
Defense Minister: Tea Seiha*
Replacing: Tea Banh
Formerly: Siem Reap provincial governor
Age: 42
Spouse: Tieng Eng
Seiha, elected as a Siem Reap representative, replaced his father who had served as Defense Minister since 2006. Seiha earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Passy Saint-Honoré in France and also attended the Saint-Cyr military academy. He was awarded the rank of Major General in 2014.
His wife holds active directorship roles with the following companies:
- Aren International Development Co., LTD.
- Chromium Construction and Development Co., LTD.
- U.N New Energy Transportation Angkor Wat (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
Foreign Affairs Minister: Sok Chenda Sophea*
Replacing: Minister Prak Sokhonn
Formerly: Secretary general at Council Development for Cambodia
Age: 67
Spouse: Toan Ek Sophie
Chenda Sophea was elected as a Kandal representative. He graduated from the Faculty of Economic Sciences in France and served as secretary general of the Council for Development of Cambodia since 1997.
Minister of Economy and Finance: Aun Pornmoniroth*
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 57
Spouse: Im Paulika
Pornmoniroth is elected as a Kandal representative. He is a former assistant to Hun Sen, Pornmoniroth became Minister of Economy and Finance in 2013. He holds a doctorate in philosophy from Moscow State University. His wife Im Paulika is a prominent businesswoman. Their son, Aun Pornmonireach was engaged in 2021 to Lau Jia Zhen, daughter of well-connected tycoon Choeng Sokuntheavy. Sokuntheavy’s parents are Pheapimex chairwoman Choeung Sopheap and ruling CPP Senator Laou Meng Khin. Pornmoniroth’s wife’s companies have received numerous government-awarded land grants in protected forests.
His wife holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of KVNHI & T Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Samanea Co., LTD.
- Director of Baitang (Kampuchea) Plc.
- Director of One Fraternity Co., LTD.
- Director of One More Manufacturing Co., LTD.
- Director of One Prosperity Co., LTD.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Dith Tina
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 44
Spouse: Thai Vichealai
Tina was appointed to his current position in October 2022 to replace Veng Sakhon and previously had served as a secretary of state with the Ministry of Mines and Energy since 2014. He is elected as a Tbong Khmum representative.
He is the son of former Supreme Court president Dith Munty. Tina’s sister, Dith Nita, is vice-chairperson of the Cambodia Microfinance Association and married to former Environment Minister and new Land Management Minister Say Sam Al, the son of Senate president Say Chhum.
He has recently pushed for more farmers to receive access to low-interest loans and previously threatened to sue journalists who damaged his ministry’s “dignity.”
Tina graduated with a master’s degree in physics from Paris-Sud University and holds a degree in mining engineering. He is reportedly married to a woman named Thai Vichealai.
Rural Development Minister: Chhay Rithisen
Replacing: Minister Ouk Rabun
Formerly: Secretary General of the General Department of Land Management, Urban, Planning and Construction.
Age: 54
Rithisen is elected as a Tbong Khmum representative. He is the son of Planning Minister Chhay Than, who is also a senior minister and permanent member of the Central Committee of the ruling CPP. He is also the former director of Phnom Penh Municipality’s Department of Public Transportation.
Commerce Minister: Cham Nimul
Replacing: Minister Pan Sorasak
Formerly: Secretary of state at Commerce Ministry
Age: 43
Nimul is daughter of former Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation minister Cham Prasidh and served as a Commerce Ministry secretary of state. She is elected as a Kampot representative.
She is on the board of Hun Many’s The Many Foundation. She is also a member of the standing committee of the Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia run by Hun Many, Kamnotra reported.
Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister: Hem Vandy
Replacing: Cham Prasidh
Formerly: Secretary of State at the Ministry of Economy and Finance
Age: 44
He previously served as an Ministry of Economy and Finance secretary of state for around three years. He obtained a master’s in International Development from the International University of Japan and later a master’s of Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School.
Commerce Ministry records list a man named Hem Vandy as an active director of Mohanokor Engineering & Construction Co., LTD.
Minister of Mines and Energy: Keo Rottanak
Replacing: Minister Suy Sem
Formerly: Secretary General at Electrice du Cambodge
Age: 50
Spouse: Keng Chansopheak
Rottanak was elected as a Pursat representative. He once served as a personal assistant to Hun Sen and joined the Cambodian state-owned electricity provider Electricite du Cambodge (EDC) as managing Director in 2008. The firm has raised controversy for building a powerline through the protected Prey Lang forest under his leadership. Rottanak also became a minister attached to the prime minister in 2018. He obtained a master’s in administration from Columbia University in 1997 and a master’s in International Development from International University of Japan in 1999.
His wife, Chansopheak, has business ties with Hun Manet’s wife Pich Chanmony through the company Hibrand Tech and electronics supplier GGEAR Group, which Chanmony chairs according to Commerce Ministry records.
Commerce Ministry records list Chansopheak holding the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Eduinvest International Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Toys & Me Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Smart Fun Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Lotusroot Co., LTD.
- Director of GGEAR Group Co., LTD.
- Director of HIBRAND Tech Co., LTD.
- Director of K.S Advance Asia Co., LTD.
- Director of Smart Path Asia Co., LTD.
- Director of Smart Goods Investment Co., LTD.
Planning Minister: Bin Troachhey
Replacing: Chhay Thorn
Former Position: Private Lawyer
Age: 44
Troachhey is the son of Bin Chhin, outgoing minister for the Council of Ministers.
Minister of Education, Youth and Sports: Hang Chuon Naron
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 61
Spouse: Pen Vimol
Naron has held his ministerial position since 2013. He studied international economic relations in Russia in the early 1980s and once worked with the Australian Embassy. He is elected as a Kampong Cham representative. Naron’s wife is reportedly an official with the Environment Ministry’s Planning Department.
Minister of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation: Chea Somethy
Replacing: Vong Sauth
Formerly: Prey Veng provincial governor
Somethy is a son of the late Senate president Chea Sim and served as governor of Prey Preng province. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from university in Thailand and postgraduate studies in the U.S, including studying at the Royal School of Administration in Phnom Penh.
Land Management Minister: Say Sam Al*
Replacing: Chea Sophara
Formerly: Environment Minister
Age: 43
Spouse: Dith Nita
Sam Al is the son of senate president Say Chhum. Sam Al is married to Dith Nita, the younger sister of Agriculture Minister Dith Tina and the daughter of Dith Monty, former president of the Supreme Court. He obtained a doctorate in philosophy from Monash University in Australia.
He is elected as a Preah Sihanouk representative.
His wife holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Troke Enterprise Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Apsara Media Group (AMG) Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Apsara Media Services Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Mony Morokoth Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of CPFM Dairy & Foods Co., LTD.
- Director of the DPNV Co., LTD.
- Director of Cambodian Legacy Pharmaceuticals Co., LTD.
- Director of Princeton Grammar School Co., LTD.
- Director of Smart Estate LTD.
- Director of the 3S Petroleum Co., LTD.
- Director of IBF (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
Environment Minister: Eang Sophalleth
Replacing: Say Sam Al
Formerly: Environment Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 53
Spouse: Chea Sophakanny
Sophalleth is the son-in-law of outgoing Land Management Minister Chea Sophara. Sophalleth is a former personal assistant to Hun Sen and served as an Environment Ministry secretary of state since 2018. Sophalleth received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s in finance and a doctorate in civil engineering from the University of Calgary in Canada.
He is married to Chea Sophakanny, daughter of former Land Management Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Chea Sophara. He is listed as a shareholder in his wife’s firms Paragon D’Angkor Corporation Co., LTD. (Paragon D’Angkor) and Paragon Professional Services Corporation (Paragon Corporation)
His wife holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Herun (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Paragon Air Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Paragon Education Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Zaman Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Paragon D’Angkor Corporation Co., LTD. (Paragon D’Angkor)
- Chairwoman of Paragon Professional Services Corporation (Paragon Corporation)
Water Resources Minister: Thor Chetha
Replacing: Lim Kean Hor
Formerly: Secretary of State of Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology
Age: 46
Spouse: Leang Yuk
He has worked as a ministry secretary of state since 2013 and holds a degree in administration from Nanyang University in Singapore. He has previously led efforts to improve Cambodia’s agricultural production.
Information Minister: Neth Pheaktra
Replacing: Minister Khieu Kanharith
Formerly: Environment Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 41
Pheaktra has served as the Environment Ministry’s spokesperson. He was formerly a journalist with the Phnom Penh Post who became managing editor of the Post’s Khmer language edition and then transitioned to a spokesperson for the Khmer Rouge tribunal (ECCC) in 2011.
Until 2021, he was a director of media company Apsara Media Services, run by Dith Nita, wife of former Environment Minister Say Sam Al and sister of Agriculture Minister Dith Tina.
Justice Minister: Koeut Rith*
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 44
Spouse: Yet Moulin
Rith, promoted to deputy prime minister this mandate, reportedly played a major role in shaping the constitutional amendments which helped streamline the transition of power to Hun Manet. He is married to Yet Moulin, judge of the Court of Appeal in Phnom Penh.
He holds a master’s degree in Criminal Law from the University of Lyon in France.
Inspection Ministry: Huot Hak
Replacing: Men Sam An
Formerly: Secretary of State of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Minister
Age: 50
Spouse: Song Thida
Huot Hak previously served as the secretary of the Inspection Ministry, formerly the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection. He is the president of the Khmer Youth in Europe and a member of the ruling CPP’s Central Committee. Hak is the brother-in-law of Hun Sen’s niece Kry Vouchleng, according to Kamnotra.
Posts and Telecommunications Minister: Chea Vandeth
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 52
Vandeth, who represents Takeo province, became minister in April 2020. He graduated with a doctorate in economics and also holds a master’s in business administration from Nanyang University in Singapore. His ministry has overseen efforts to block access to a range of independent media and advance a controversial National Internet Gateway intended to provide the government with greater control over internet traffic. His ministry has also pushed for a new cybersecurity law that would expand authorities’ ability to seize computer systems from companies and individuals in interests of national security, but which has sparked concerns of abuse.
Health Minister: Chheang Ra
Replacing: Mom Bunheng
Formerly: Director General of Calmette Hospital
Spouse: Kim Sokleap
Ra was formerly the director general of state-run Calmette Hospital. Ra is married to Hun Sen’s niece Kim Sokleap, according to Kamnotra.
Public Works and Transport Minister: Peng Ponea
Replacing: Sun Chanthol
Formerly: Public Works and Transport Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 43
Ponea is the son of former deputy prime minister Men Sam An, who this week was appointed advisor to the Supreme Council of the King, an equivalent position. Peng Pat’s father was a ruling CPP senator and his brother Peng Posa is deputy governor of Svay Rieng province.
Commerce Ministry records show a person named Peng Ponea (ប៉េង ពោធិ័នា) holds positions with the following companies:
- Director of NRST Development Co.,LTD.
- Director of Pacific Paradise Development Co., LTD.
- Director of Sothea Nim Capital Co., LTD.
Culture and Fine Arts Minister: Phoeurng Sackona
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 64
Sackona has held her position since 2013. Her father-in-law Chheng Phon formerly served in the same position. She has a doctorate in food sciences from Bourgogne University in France. While she has overseen the return of numerous stolen antiquities to Cambodia, her ministry has requested censorship of songs for alleged incitement.
Tourism Minister: Sok Soken
Replacing: Thorng Khon
Formerly: Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 40
Spouse: Cham Krasna
Soken is the son of longtime ruling CPP stalwart and Minister of the Council of Ministers Sok An, who died in 2017. His wife, Chan Krasna is the daughter of Industry, Science and Innovation minister Cham Prasidh, making Soken the brother-in-law of new Commerce Minister Cham Nimul.
He was previously a Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary of State since 2020 and holds a master’s in public administration from the National University of Singapore.
Soken holds the following business roles:
- Director of Apsara Rice (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
- Director of Soma Group Co., LTD.
His wife holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Amongus Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of C.A.D.I. CO., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Instapay (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Khmer Harvest Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of SM&CP Megafarm Company LTD.
- Chairwoman of Soma Farm (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Soma Preah Vihear Megafarm Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Soma Properties and Development Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Soma Trading Company LTD.
- Director of Cham & Ly Corporation
- Director of EDEEL (Cambodia) Plc.
Cult and Religion Minister: Chay Borin
Replacing: Chhit Sokhon
Formerly: Secretary of State at Cults and Religion Ministry
Age: 50
Borin was elected to represent Tbong Khmum province.
Women’s Affairs Minister: Ing Kantha Phavi
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 63
Spouse: Trak Thai Seang
Phavi, a lawmaker representing Phnom Penh, has held her ministerial position since 2004 and left the royalist Funcinpec party to join the ruling CPP in 2008. She is the daughter of Ing Keat, the late personal counsel to King Norodom Sihanouk and former Public Works and Transport Minister in the 1990s. Her husband Trak Thai Seang was a former deputy governor of Phnom Penh and currently serves as a Public Works and Transport Ministry secretary of state. She holds a doctorate in medicine from Saint Antoine University in Paris.
Labor and Vocational Training Minister: Heng Sour
Replacing: Ith Samheng
Formerly: Labor Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 49
Spouse: Som Raksmey
Sour began working at the Labor Ministry in 2008 and has served as its spokesperson since 2013. He also serves on the Secretariat of the National Council, a body established to resolve wage issues in the garment, textiles and footwear sector. He is a member of the ruling CPP’s Central Committee and is Chairman of the CPP’s Youth Training in Kampong Cham’s Batheay district. Union leaders and labor rights activists have often expressed frustration with the Labor Ministry’s perceived lack of enforcement of labor law in cases of alleged union-busting and other workers’ rights disputes.
His wife, Som Raksmey, owns the Sea Breeze Hotel and Resort in Preah Sihanouk Province, where inter-ministry meetings have been held.
She also holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Gold Star Premium Water
- Chairwoman of Som Raksmey Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of SRMY Development Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of SV Dragon Eco Beach Co., LTD.
- Former director of Woodland Vegas Co., LTD. (Left position on July 31, 2023)
- Former chairwoman of Mayura Residence Investment Co., LTD. (Left position in May 2019)
Civil Service Minister: Hun Many
Replacing: Prum Sokha
Formerly: National Assembly member
Age: 40
Spouse: Yim Chhay Lin
Many, who has represented Kampong Speu province in the National Assembly since 2013, is the youngest son of Hun Sen and brother of new Prime Minister Hun Manet. He has represented Kampong Speu province as a ruling CPP lawmaker since 2013.
He is also the president of the Union Youth Federations of Cambodia, which has provided more election observers since 2017 than any other organization and most political parties, according to Kamnotra analysis.
Many’s wife holds the following business positions:
- Chairwoman of Great Pharma Group Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of MR Training & Jobs Center Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of AZZA Decor (Cambodia) Co., LTD.
- Chairwoman of Machhoem Bopea trading Group Co., LTD.
- Director of Global Green Natura Co., LTD.
- Director of Chhak Kampongsaom SEZ Co., LTD.
- Director of Teho-SBG Development Co., LTD.
Minister in Charge of the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation: Mao Havannall
Formerly: Incumbent
Age: 57
Havannall continues to serve as minister and is an elected lawmaker representing Takeo for the ruling CPP.
Minister in Charge of Border Affairs Committee: Lam Chea
Formerly: Interior Ministry Secretary of State
Age: 54
Chea is appointed to a newly formed ministerial role overseeing Cambodia’s borders. His family is reportedly of Khmer Krom descent from southwestern Vietnam, according to local media. Some activists who have spoken about alleged land loss along Cambodia’s border with Vietnam, have been fined tens of thousands of dollars in compensation to the committee, formerly led by Var Kimhong.
10 Deputy Prime Ministers:
Aun Pornmoniroth
Hang Chuon Naron
Say Sam Al
Sar Sokha
Tea Seiha
Koeut Rith
Sok Chenda Sophea
Vongsey Visoth
Sun Chanthol (Kandal lawmaker)
Neth Savoeun (Former National Police Chief)
21 Senior Ministers:
Kun Kim
Hou Sithy
Ouk Rabun
Om Yentieng
Eang Moly
Thong Khon
Pich Sophorn
Prum Sokha
Sak Setha
Ossman Hassan
Y Chhean
Ouk Prathna
Ouch Borith
Svay Sitha
Chhay Sinarith
Ly Thuch
Chhem Kieth Rethy
Chhieng Yanara
Sok Siphana
Keo Remy
Ky Tech
Chairpersons of 10-commission at the National Assembly from ruling CPP:
Commission on Human Rights, Complaints, and Investigation: Sar Chamrong
Commission on Economics, Finance, Banking and Auditing: Chheang Vun
Commission on Planning, Investment, Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment, and Water Resources: Loy Sophat
Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration: Kep Chuktema
Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information, and Media: Suos Yara
Commission on Legislation and Justice: Ang Vong Vathana
Commission on Education, Youth, Sport, Religious Affairs, Culture and Tourism: Pa Socheatvong
Commission on Health Care, Social & Veterans’ Affairs, Youth Rehabilitation, Labor, Vocational Training & Women’s Affairs: Lork Kheng
Commission of Public Works, Transport, Telecommunication, Post, Industry, Commerce, Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction: Nin Saphon
Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption: Pen Simon
