The National Police are investigating a case involving the son of Sos Kamry, a top Islamic cleric in Cambodia, after information leaked on social media that he allegedly sexually assaulted 18 female students at an Islamic school dormitory in Phnom Penh.
Phnom Penh Municipal Police chief Chuon Narin said they are cooperating with the National Police’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Unit regarding the matter.
“We are working on this issue,” he said, when contacted by CamboJA News but declined to comment further and cut the line.
Sam Vichhika, spokesperson of Phnom Penh Municipal Police, referred questions to the anti-human trafficking unit, which he said was in charge of the investigation.
Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Unit director Sok Sambo declined to comment and hung up the phone.
Ministry of Women’s Affairs’ Legal Protection Department director Sar Sineth could not confirm whether the allegations were genuine, but she mentioned that the Interior Ministry was working closely with the local authorities in Kampong Cham to gather information.
She said they have yet to determine the number of victims involved in the case.
Sineth, however, confirmed that non-profit AFESIP Cambodia, which operates a shelter for victims of sex trafficking in the country, has received one victim from the target province, identified by her ministry. While the investigation is ongoing, she emphasized that such violations undoubtedly have an impact on survivors.
“All forms of abuse have consequences, affecting both physical and mental health,” she said. “Survivors may drop out of school and face additional health issues.”
On October 10, Facebook account Som Mengly exposed the “scandal” involving the sexual abuse of several victims. The account was inactivated four days later.
In the original post, the account user said the information that was leaked revealed that six out of 18 victims were female students who were allegedly raped by a person called “Suhaimi”, who was said to be the son of the country’s top Islamic cleric, Sos Kamry. The social media post alleged that the abuse had been happening for “many years”, but news of the abuse finally got out because one of the victims became pregnant.
Sos Kamry, chairman of the Highest Council for Islamic Religious Affairs of Cambodia, could not be reached for comment. CamboJA News reporter contacted the phone numbers on his Facebook page, but found that they were not his. The individuals who answered the calls said they would provide Sos Kamry’s phone number via Telegram but failed to do so and did not respond again later.
In the meantime, Sos Kamry wrote a post on his Facebook page on October 11 denying a “rumor” circulating on social media that his son Suhaimi sexually abused female students at a school dormitory.
“After receiving the information, I asked my son many times to tell me the truth, but he denied committing what the rumor mentioned,” Sos Kamry’s post read. “I support the [intent] of finding the truth to render justice to the victims,” he added.
His son Kamarutin Suhaimi was not available for comment.
On October 12, the management of Madrasah An-Nikmah Al-Islamiyah Phnom Penh issued a statement, stating that “Kamarutin Suhaimi” was apparently the “manager in charge of the school’s security, public order and sanitation of the dormitory”.
It said students reported to the teachers at the administration office on October 5 that Suhaimi allegedly used “inappropriate words”, “behaved inappropriately” and made “gestures” towards some of them.
He was terminated from his position at the female dormitory and school management after an immediate meeting was convened, the statement read.
It said most of the students continue to study as normal in the school, while a small number sought permission to return home temporarily. “And some people lured some students [to get information] and took up the issue to serve their political purposes and attack the school,” the Islamic school management added.
They expressed “regret and disappointment” at what happened and called on the authorities to investigate and render justice to all parties, and to take action on people who took the opportunity to use social media to damage the dignity of the individuals and the school.
On October 11, Somaly Mam, who runs AFESIP, posted a photo of her and an alleged victim, who arrived at the center, and urged other victims to speak up. She did not respond to CamboJA News.
Interior Ministry’s National Committee for Counter Trafficking vice president Chou Bun Eng said she was on a mission abroad and referred CamboJA News to the National Police.
La Lay, advisor for the Highest Council for Islam Religious Affairs of Cambodia, was unable to confirm whether the leaked information about the cleric’s son was true but supported the need to find justice for the parties. He said he knew about the case through the media.
“For me, I support justice because our country has laws […] I entirely support the implementation of the law to render justice to the victims,” he said.
NGO rights group ADHOC president Ny Sokha told CamboJA News that it might be difficult to investigate the case as the suspect is the son of a “powerful” individual. He expressed concern that if the police failed to get the truth from the victim, it may be challenging to uncover what happened.
“Victims are often afraid to report to the authorities when the suspect is connected to powerful figures,” he said. “Therefore, the police handling this case must ensure that the victims feel safe, supported and confident in the investigation process.”
Sokha added that due to the alleged weakness in the rule of law and lack of strong legal enforcement, ethical standards could erode in society.
The victims, while suffering now, may also face long-term impacts, particularly with regards to their dignity. “We must investigate this case carefully, ensuring that justice is served while preserving the victims’ dignity and honor,” he added.
