Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon was removed from his position on October 8, with immediate effect, according to a Royal Decree.

The Royal Decree, signed by King Norodom Sihamoni, said that the removal was done at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Following the decision, the government then designated Minister of Economy and Finance Aun Pornmonirath as acting minister of agriculture in addition to his current ministry and duties.

No detailed reason was given as to why Sakhon was fired, but Hun Sen subsequently sent out an audio message detailing the damage sustained by rice and other crops due to flooding, noting that four people have died and over 40,000 hectares of farmland and rice paddy have been flooded.