T IOULONG SAUMURA, wife of political campaigner Sam Rainsy, has resigned as
deputy governor of the National Bank of Cambodia.
First Prime Minister
Prince Norodom Ranariddh confirmed the resignation on Sept 16, saying Saumura
had gone two days earlier to King Norodom Sihanouk to submit her
resignation.
"So far, I haven't received the application for the
resignation. If she asks to resign, I'd like to say in advance that we will
accept it," Ranariddh told Reuters.
He stressed the resignation had been
voluntary, and the deputy governor had not been dismissed or pressured by the
government.
Saumura, currently in Australia with Rainsy, told reporters
that Cambodia's political environment meant she was unable to do her job
properly.
Her resignation came as Rainsy was confirming long-awaited
plans to form a new opposition party.
National Bank governor Thor Peng
Leath and Saumura were appointed two years ago in a political compromise that
allowed the governor to be appointed by CPP and his deputy by
Funcinpec.
Leath was recently implicated in an alleged banking scandal
and reportedly under threat of being fired as government investigators were
called in, but has so far remained in the job.
