AN adviser to Senate and Cambodian People's Party President Chea Sim has been accused of issuing a bad cheque to a former provincial governor, who on Thursday threatened legal action in the case.

The cheque, numbered 000171, was issued by Canadia Bank on behalf of CPP member Yin Sovanny. Showing an amount of US$30,000, the cheque was to be sent to ANZ Bank, but the transfer was invalidated due to insufficient funds in Yin Sovanny's account, according to a document recently obtained by the Post.

The former provincial governor and intended recipient of the cheque, who asked to remain anonymous, said Thursday that Chea Sim's adviser Yin Sovanny had agreed to transfer him $30,000 in exchange for a sand-dredging business owned by the governor. Sand dredging can be environmentally destructive and is banned in many countries.

"We made an agreement, and he wrote me a cheque on June 5 from his account at Canadia Bank, but when I went to cash the cheque, the people at the bank told me it had bounced," the former politician said, adding that he would file a legal complaint against Yin Sovanny if he does not settle the debt.

"If he issued this cheque when he knew he had no money, that's fraud. I've tried to contact him many times since June, but he hasn't responded," the governor said.

Reached by phone Thursday, Yin Sovanny refused to discuss the case at length, saying that he has been travelling. He said only that he knew it had been reported in the local press, but that the press had the facts wrong.

"I cannot speak much now because I have been staying in Korea. Wait for me. I will come back on Monday," he said.

Canadia Bank could not be reached for comment on Thursday.