Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Sok Bun gives up 'oknha' title

Sok Bun gives up 'oknha' title

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Sok Bun, former president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, poses for a photo next to an architectural model earlier this year. Photo supplied

Sok Bun gives up 'oknha' title

Property magnate Sok Bun has announced he is giving up his honorific “oknha” title and pleaded not to be imprisoned, amid ongoing indignation over a video released last week showing him savagely beating a woman.

In a statement released through his lawyer Yin Sophy today, Bun also offered his victim, former TV host Ek Socheata, $100,000 in compensation. Socheata, better known as Ms Sasa, has previously said she rejected an earlier offer of $40,000 in compensation and wants Bun to face justice. In a separate statement, also made public today, Bun resigned as president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, a real estate industry body.

The title of oknha is bestowed upon people who have made a significant contribution to development in Cambodia, and normally requires a $100,000 donation to the government.

In the first statement, which only carried the signature of his lawyer, Bun pleaded with Prime Minister Hun Sen to guarantee his freedom, “to fulfil my obligation as a father and husband for my family.”

Sophy said the letter had been passed on by Bun’s family.

“He really wants to compromise. This letter comes from his own will to make a public apology,” Sophy said

Sophy declined to say where Bun is now hiding, though he is reportedly in Singapore, having apparently fled there on July 8, a day after the video began to circulate widely on social media before being picked up by television companies.

In it Bun can be seen repeatedly punching and kicking Sasa in the head. Sasa has said the assault was launched after she threw her phone while attempting to stop Bun dragging her inebriated friend away against her will.

Speaking yesterday Sasa insisted she had little interest in news Bun had resigned as director of major property joint-ventures with Singaporean company TEHO International as a result of the scandal and demanded he be brought to justice.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.