Replacements have been chosen to fill the Senate seats once occupied by recently deceased Cambodian People’s Party Senator Peng Pat and retired Sam Rainsy Party Senator Kong Korm, according to an announcement dated April 12 and released yesterday.

Pat is to be replaced by relatively unknown Chin Sok Ngin, who will take over responsibility for Takeo, Kampot and Kep provinces.

Korm, meanwhile, is to be replaced by doctor and former Health Ministry anti-malaria expert Yim Khun Khoeun, whose constituency will include Prey Veng and Svay Rieng.

Multiple senators are assigned to each of seven “regions”, which include several provinces each.

Korm said Khoeun is a longtime board member of the SRP and a member of its working group for Prey Veng.

“He has been with the SRP for 20 years and represented districts in Prey Veng since the start of his career,” Korm said.

For his part, Khoeun said he was anxious about filling Korm’s shoes, but added he was “committed to serve the nation”.

Neither incoming senator Chin Sok Ngin nor CPP spokesman Sok Eysan could be reached.