The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) sent two teachers and an official from the Ministry of Planning to Phnom Penh municipal court on May 9 for their alleged involvement in a fraudulent state employment scheme.

A May 9 Ministry of Justice social media post said the three suspects had worked together to collect money from members of the public who were seeking employment as state teachers, or jobs at other state institutions.

It identified the three as Nong Run, 38, a teacher at Sok An Prey Sandek High School in Takeo province’s Treang district, and Sun Pich Somaly, 43, a teacher at Thon Mon primary school in Daun Keo district of the same province, as well as Hun Piseth, 35, deputy rural development office chief at the Ministry of Planning.

“The ACU determined that the three conspired to act as illegal employment brokers since last year. They are alleged to have facilitated jobs as teachers as well as in other state institutions,” said the statement.

The statement did not specify the number of people who were illegally appointed.

“They also offered false qualifications, including high school certificates and Master’s Degrees, with prices ranging from $450 to $1,500. They charged from $11,000 to $16,000 for appointment to government positions, depending on the specific institution,” the statement added.

Under the seventh-mandate government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Minister of Civil Service Hun Many has vowed to take action against the illegal appointment of officials, while enforcing stricter recruitment requirements.