by Khy Sovuthy and Zsombor Peter | April 27, 2016
Two sons of Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) Chairman Om Yentieng have been appointed as assistants to the government graft-fighting body, sparking accusations of nepotism within the very institution meant to stamp out such practices.
A royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on Saturday names Yentieng Puthira and Yentieng Puthirith as two of eighteen new assistants assigned to the ACU, with ranks equal to undersecretary and secretary of state, respectively, effective immediately.
The appointments were requested by Prime Minister Hun Sen, who on Friday also signed off on a separate sub-decree assigning six lower-ranking assistants to the unit.
Mr. Yentieng declined to speak with a reporter on Tuesday, and ACU spokesman Keo Remy could not be reached. Nov Ra, an official in the prime minister’s cabinet, referred a request for comment back to the ACU.