Kang Vong Chaom Chao I commune chief. FN
Forty-two officials of Chaom Chao I commune in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district, including commune council members and village chiefs, said they are planning to submit a petition to district governor Hem Darith requesting the removal of current commune chief Kang Vong from office for irregularities in his leadership.
According to the petition dated November 6, Vong – a former member of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) – lacked leadership skills, was immoral, corrupt and condescending to his subordinates.
The petition cited a lack of trust from all officials in the commune chief, who was also blamed for delays in public projects.
The maligned commune chief told The Post that he had done his best to serve the people in the commune, but such allegations were common. He said it always happens between managers and subordinates and brushed it off as a mere work dispute.
“I’ve spent time with people. I never have any free time because as a commune chief, I have a role to meet the needs of the people. I do not love power. I’ve never neglected my duties. For bonuses awarded to subordinates, I divide them according to rank and position, and if any subordinate does not work, he or she does not receive the bonus,” Vong said.
“I believe the management will make the right decision and I have no regrets about being a part of social service.”
Vong was serving as commune chief in 2017 while he was still a CNRP member. The opposition party was banned that year and while in office, Vong switched allegiances to the CPP.
Sou Sarath, a commune council member who is currently out of work due to health issues and who thumbprinted the petition, told The Post on November 12 that the petition was submitted to a CPP delegation in the district on November 10.
“Our first step is to ask the district party committee to resolve the issue and replace Vong. If no measures are taken, we will continue to submit the petition through other avenues until we can replace him,” he said.
Pa Chanroeun, president of the NGO Cambodian Institute for Democracy, said according to administrative principles, subordinates have the right to request to change their leader through the Ministry of Interior.
