A Royal Decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on August 19 mandated the retirement of 11 senior government officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, but said they could remain in their elected positions, according to the document received by the Post yesterday.

The Royal Decree instructs government officers from the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Interior to retire from their public positions effective August 1, 2011.  

Elected officials retain their positions, but must replace their public salary with a retirement salary Along with Prime Minister Hun Sen,  Interior Minister Sar Kheng is named in the decree. Deputy prime ministers Sok An and Bin Chhin are also named.

The other seven are Second Deputy President of the National Assembly Say Chhum, Vice-President of the National Committee for Disaster Management Nhim Vanda, Minister in charge of border affairs Va Kimhong, former Minister of Information Ieng Moly, Minister of Cults and Religions Min Khin, Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations Som Kim Suor and Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana.

Seng Lim Neou, Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers, said all government officers had to retire from their public positions when they reached the age of 60.

They would receive retirement pay rather than salar-ies, he said.

“If they are not politicians, they have to leave their position, but politicians have to continue to work because they are elected,” he explained.