Phnom Penh: Justice and discipline of the forces are strong pillars of the citizens’ confidence. Recently, the public witnessed the actions in Kampot province, which are a sharp warning to the “power-hungry” officials.
A practical lesson from Kampot province: The law does not exempt officials from corruption
According to detention order No. 535 dated April 24, 2026, issued by the investigating judge of the Kampot Provincial Court, Mr. Seng Malap, decided to temporarily detain Tep Sokpheng, an officer of the Kampot City Police Department, on charges of “aggravated violence and illegal use of drugs.”
The officer used excessive force to throw a glass of wine at the ice picker, causing his head to break. As a result, in addition to being handcuffed and facing legal action, the disciplinary council of the Kampot Provincial Police is also preparing a proposal to General Sar Thet and His Excellency Dr. Sar Sokha to “remove his name from the national police.” This is an example of the justice that the people want.
Looking at the “power-hungry officials” in Phnom Penh: Will they have the same fate?
While officials in Kampot province are being imprisoned, let’s look at the case of Mr. Khieu Songchansothea (David YaYa), a senior official at the Ministry of Interior. This person has a bad history:
Old story: using obscene language to insult the delivery person and calling the reporter “a chicken”.
New story: Causing traffic accidents in Chbar Ampov District, threatening to beat up and imprison citizens while they are unconscious and smoking electronic cigarettes (Vape), showing off to the authorities and citizens indifferently.
What will be the result?
The public is asking: “Should the officials who, under the guise of 5, threatened to beat up the people and smoke vape in violation of the government ban, receive the same fate as the officials in Kampot province?”. Officials are servants of the people, not masters of the people who use their power to abuse power or use vulgar words at will.
