Minister of Interior Sar Kheng will preside over an induction ceremony on Friday promoting former Kep provincial deputy governor Som Piseth to provincial governor.

Piseth will replace Ken Satha, who is set to be appointed as a secretary of state at the Council of Ministers by King Norodom Sihamoni.

Kep Provincial Hall head of administration Oeung Vuthy told The Post on Thursday that Satha was removed from his post according to a letter dated on May 27 from the Interior Ministry’s General Department of Administration.

He said the ceremony will be attended by the provincial leaders of the departments and units as well as the armed forces.

Satha told The Post on Thursday that the transfer of roles was made because his mandate ended as stipulated in the Law on Administrative Management of the Capital, Provinces.

The law requires the provincial governor to hold office for only two terms, with one term lasting four years.

“The law stipulates that the provincial governor can serve [the people] within his jurisdiction for a maximum of two terms. My mandate ended and I held the office according to the royal decree since August 2012.

“It is nothing new. Once our mandate ends, a new provincial governor takes our place,” he said.

Satha said he was satisfied with his accomplishments, as he oversaw growth in the province in almost all sectors.

He said he was not disappointed in the termination because the transfer of the role was made in line with the law. He expects the new provincial governor to improve on the foundation he built while in office.

Satha said infrastructure improved under his leadership, with more than 76 per cent of residents having access to electricity, and freshwater available in almost all districts.

“Kep province has seen changes and growth. It can be said that security [and] public order sectors have improved for national and international guests. Our citizens enjoy much peace. They live their lives without fear,” he said.

King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday issued a royal decree ordering the appointment of Satha as a secretary of state at the Council of Ministers. The appointment was made at the request of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Sar Kheng also signed a letter dated May 25 promoting former Kampot deputy provincial police chief Sambath Sothearoth to Kep provincial police chief.