Renowned senior Cambodian architect Vann Molyvann, 75, was removed from the post of General Director of Apsara Authority in the Council of Ministers on June 2 due to alleged mismanagement.

A Royal Decree replacing Molyvann with Apsara Deputy General Director Bun Narith was issued on June 2 following a request for his removal from Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 31. Molyvann, who designed both the Olympic Stadium and the Cambodiana Hotel, had been the Apsara Chief since 1995.

Apsara is entrusted with the protection and conservation of the Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap.

According to Uong Von, Director of the Department of National Heritage, Molyvann's removal was due to perceived "inappropriate" spending and poor interministerial cooperation.

"I have noted that he gesticulated wildly at fellow officials and did not listen to officials under his control," Von said. "If [Molyvann] continued in the position he would create more problems in the future."

Ang Choulean, the Director of the Department of Culture and Monuments disputed Von's account of Molyvann's dismissal, attributing it to a government policy "...to shuffle its officials in order to promote reform for future development."

Post attempts to contact Molyvann were unsuccessful.