Prime Minister Hun Sen has instructed the minister of justice to work with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and city hall to take legal action against a senior police official for violating lockdown measure.

Ung Chanthouk, 45, a two-star general within the National Police, and two other men were caught drinking, singing and playing with powder with tenants of his rental rooms – mostly garment factory workers – in Meanchey district.

Hun Sen said he is making a request to the King for Chanthuok's dismissal from the National Police. He encouraged the authorities to arrest, without exception, anyone caught breaking the lockdown order.

“This man [Chanthouk] must face trial ... handcuff him and don’t release him. If the court resumes their work today, hold a trial today,” he said.

Justice ministry spokesman Kim Santepheap reiterated that breaking the lockdown measure would result in legal woes.

“The courtroom of municipal and provincial courts have been prepared for such a trial against any individual caught violating administrative and health measures aimed at breaking the chain of Covid-19 transmission,” he said in a Facebook post on April 16 along with photos of courtroom with plastic shield as a precaution.