A mass promotion announced by the Interior Ministry yesterday saw more than 80 senior police officials upgraded, including seven to three-star general status, as well as the appointment of seven new under-secretaries of state.

In a ceremony presided over by Interior Minister Sar Kheng, 41 new one-star generals were named, while 32 rose to the rank of two-star general.

Among the new under-secretaries of state were Huy Vannak, who in 2014 was accused of putting a gun to the head of a subordinate while serving as deputy director of government-aligned TV station Cambodian News Channel, and royalist politician Sao Rany.

Joining them in the rank are Ang Mongkul, Dy Sokphan, Yun Chhunny, Pich Chivoan and Som Chandyna.

Speaking yesterday, Yem Ponharith, a lawmaker and spokesman for the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, warned that such mass promotions were creating a top-heavy bureaucracy, while rampant crime remained.

“I estimate there are about 2,000 generals, which is not in balance with the size of the population if compared to other countries in the region or the world,” he said.