Twenty senior police officers working in the Ministry of Interior have been promoted by a royal decree issued on Saturday.

Three colonels were given the rank of brigadier general, while 17 brigadier generals who made the list were promoted to the rank of major general.

Hean Saroeun, deputy director of staff at the Interior Ministry, said that those receiving promotions would likely not get new jobs.

“The promotions do not mean that all the people get new positions,” he said.

Saroeun added that the promotions were handed to brigadier generals who had served at least three years in the position, while a colonel usually had to serve at least six years before promotion.

Political analyst Ou Virak said the system of promotions within the police force should be reformed to be merit-based.

“I think Cambodia should cut down on handing out titles to civil servants.

They should be encouraged by raising wages, because handing out titles like that will only cause jealously among those who are working hard and overlooked.”