Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday criticised local authorities for delaying the issuance of identification cards to members of the public, saying certain officials wait to issue IDs in televised ceremonies in a bid to score political points.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony for National Road 44 in Kampong Speu, the premier said he was removing the lure of a high-profile ceremony altogether, ordering TV stations to cease broadcasting the events.

“[Officials] go on TV in order to impress me with their efforts, but I’m not impressed. It wastes time,” he said, referring to the practice of waiting until hundreds of ID cards are ready in order to make a show of their distribution.

The prime minister added that he would “investigate which authorities are still practising this”, assuring it would prove “a problem for them”.

Cham Samtha, a Phnom Penh resident typical of those spoken to by the Post yesterday, described a process that could often stretch months.

“We need IDs in a timely manner, because they’re necessary for many important things, such as dealing with banks,” he said.