Battambang Provincial Police Chief Sar Thet, who is the nephew of Interior Minister Sar Kheng, has been promoted to deputy commissioner of the National Police, an official said yesterday.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak confirmed the transfer, adding that Thet would be replaced in his old position by former Phnom Penh Deputy Police Chief Ouch Sokhon.

“This is a normal thing and it is no big deal. They cannot have their positions for the rest of their lives,” Sopheak said, adding that Thet was yet to be assigned a specific role.

“When he comes, he will be assigned work.”

At the same time, Sokhon – who was previously the head of the Chamkarmon district police, a force often involved in crackdowns on demonstrations – will also be promoted to a two-star police general, according to a royal decree signed on September 4 by Senate President Say Chhum, who acts as head of state when King Norodom Sihamoni is absent.

Neither Thet nor Sokhon were reachable yesterday.