Four tax officials in Banteay Meanchey province were given a slap on the wrist by Cambodia’s anti-corruption body last week after it uncovered “misconduct”.

Om Yentieng, president of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), issued written warnings to the four officials on Friday.

“[You] must stop this … and perform your duties in accordance with the code of ethics of civil servants,” he wrote. “The ACU will take legal action if you continue your misconduct.”

The officials were identified as Dem Virouch, head of Sisophon town’s tax department; Thoem Sothon, chief tax collector in O’Ambel and Teuk Thla communes; Pheng Sophea, tax collection officer in Preah Ponlea commune; and Tom Phanny, tax officer in Kampong Svay commune. None could be reached.

Mam Sitha, president of the Cambodian Independent Anti-Corruption Committee, urged the government to prosecute.

“The ACU has to take legal action when it finds people involved in corruption, rather than giving them warnings.”