Committee created to vet 'oknhas'
Publication date 17 May 2021 | 18:29 ICT
The government has issued a decision establishing an inter-ministerial committee to study and prepare legal standards regarding the title of Oknha — an honorific bestowed on those who have made significant contributions to national development — with provisions that allow for the official revocation of the title.

The decision was signed by Prime Minister HE on April 9, but wasn’t released until May 17. It came at the request of the Ministry of Interior.
The move came after a series of scandals involving tycoons with the honorific.
- Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia Takes a Look at Royal ‘Oknha’ Nobleman Titles After Scandals
The title is granted by royal decree to anyone who contributes at least U.S. $500,000 to the government.
2021-05-21
[excerpt]
‘A noble moral example’

Unofficial research puts the number of Oknha and higher-status Neak Oknha at no fewer than 1,000.

Since 1994, after Cambodia held its first democratic elections supported by the United Nations, philanthropists who donated U.S. $100,000 or more to the state could be appointed by the government as Oknha. By late 2017, the title’s price had increased fivefold.

Meas Ny praised a recent decision by Prime Minister HE to establish an inter-ministerial working group to manage issues related to the title and to review the legal process of granting and withdrawing the honorary status.

The political analyst said that the group should examine an individual’s qualifications, profile, and sources of income before deciding to grant the Oknha title.

“We [also] need to have a transparent mechanism for providing this title [and] a mechanism for control [because] we see some tycoons misusing their roles,” he said.

Cambodia’s Court of Appeal last week released powerful businessman Oknha Kith Theang who was arrested, convicted, and sentenced two years ago for being a ring leader in a drug distribution ring centered in the capital Phnom Penh. He was originally sentenced to four years in prison, but the higher court reduced his jail term to two years and quietly freed him.

He used his wealth and powerful connections during the past two years to pare his jail stay down to only two weeks, while spending the rest of the time in a hospital, claiming that he was sick.

Individuals need to demonstrate morality and integrity before they are granted Oknha titles, said Kim Sok.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambod ... 84344.html

The Oknha on the Day of Reckoning
Cambodianess 23/05/2021 12:00 PM

The recent involvement of Oknha in red hot affairs has prompted the government to announce the creation of an inter-ministerial committee tasked with assessing the conduct of these personalities and recommending, if called for, the revocation of their titles.

Bestowed by the king at the government’s request to “commoners” having, since 2017, contributed at least $500,000 for endeavors in the public interest, this honor is highly regarded by business people. Elevating them to the rank of “lord,” this title gives them some type of aristocratic dignity that distinguishes them from ordinary merchants and business people and, in a way, command respect from them.

However, while paying $500,000 can enable anyone to obtain a title, this does not automatically provide nobility of soul for those without it. For them, the title has value more for the privileges or respect they can get with it than for the duty to act in an exemplary manner at all times, which it should entail.

As a prominent oknha has admitted, “bad apples” have tarnished the image of all the others. Cleaning up this informal “society” is a must if this relic of olden days is to be viewed favorably by younger generations.

So, how to differentiate between a “good” and a “bad” oknha is the question put to this inter-ministerial committee.

This title involving—theoretically—a constant exemplary commitment to the development of the country and in favor of national solidarity when urgently required, one can proceed to a quantitative assessment of the Oknha’ actions.
https://cambodianess.com/article/the-ok ... -reckoning

Working group drafting new guideline for Oknha honorific
Ry Sochan | Publication date 04 January 2022 | 23:49 ICT
An inter-ministerial working group led by the Ministry of Interior discussed the draft of a royal decree regarding the requirements for receiving and retaining the royal title of Oknha, including procedures for the revocation of the honorific once it has been granted.

The interior ministry’s press release on January 3 said the working group had provided input to further improve the contents of the draft royal decree.

On April 9 last year the government established an inter-ministerial working group to study and propose legal guidelines for the management and revocation of the title in the wake of a small number of high-profile incidents over the years involving law-breaking or misconduct.

Interior ministry secretary of state Bun Honn – who is leading the working group of 12 members tasked with drafting the guidelines – said in a video conference on January 3 that after the discussions he would report to interior minister Sar Kheng for him to review and comment on the matter, according to the press release.

The working group is responsible for carrying out the legal research and preparing the legal documents that will outline how the title is granted, what duties or responsibilities come along with it and the circumstances and procedures for revoking it.

Honn could not be reached for further comment on January 3.

Yang Kim Eng, president of the People’s Centre for Development and Peace, told The Post on January 3 that the title would not need to be managed as much if the authority would do a better job of assessing who should receive the title in the first place.

He said the title is not simply to denote a person of very high wealth and should only be given to people of good character.

“If we grant the Okhna title to people just for contributing their wealth to the nation, it will render the title of very low value. The title should be given to individuals who have positive attitudes, engage in appropriate behaviours, have generous hearts and are dedicated to helping society,” he said.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... -honorific

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Sun May 23, 2021 2:55 pm Cambodia Takes a Look at Royal ‘Oknha’ Nobleman Titles After Scandals
The title is granted by royal decree to anyone who contributes at least U.S. $500,000 to the government.
2021-05-21
[excerpt]
‘A noble moral example’


Meas Ny praised a recent decision by Prime Minister HE to establish an inter-ministerial working group to manage issues related to the title and to review the legal process of granting and withdrawing the honorary status.

The political analyst said that the group should examine an individual’s qualifications, profile, and sources of income before deciding to grant the Oknha title.

Cambodia’s Court of Appeal last week released powerful businessman Oknha Kith Theang who was arrested, convicted, and sentenced two years ago for being a ring leader in a drug distribution ring centered in the capital Phnom Penh. He was originally sentenced to four years in prison, but the higher court reduced his jail term to two years and quietly freed him.

He used his wealth and powerful connections during the past two years to pare his jail stay down to only two weeks, while spending the rest of the time in a hospital, claiming that he was sick.

Individuals need to demonstrate morality and integrity before they are granted Oknha titles, said Kim Sok.
https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambod ... 84344.html

Well that's the end of this whole Oknha thing then. And long overdue.

A queue of Oknhas awaiting to slap the bad one sitting on a bucket, so after a few dozen slaps he will eventually renounce to his title.

Just for the inconvenience, as a government favor to good Oknhas so they can deal with their owns ?

The Singapour cane comes to mind, too, as a public display (non Oknhas allowed to watch).

Just suggesting.

Honestly, who gives a fuck about meager oknhas.

If they aren't Neak Oknhas they aren't worth your business

Royal decree for Oknha likely by year’s end: minister
Lay Samean | Publication date 13 February 2022 | 21:11 ICT
A draft royal decree and the preparation of legal documents to manage the honorific title “oknha” could be completed by 2022. Some oknhas expressed their support for the draft, saying it would restore value to the title, following wrongdoing by a few okhnas who had misused their titles.

While presiding over a ceremony with the leaders of the Samdech Techo Foundation for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises on February 10, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said he was leading preparation of the draft royal decree.

He added that while the documents are drafted, discussions will be held between government representatives and the Cambodia Oknha Association.

“While drafting this decree, we hope to prepare a precise definition of when the title is to be offered, the obligations of those who hold it and the conditions whereby the title could be stripped from a holder.

“Once the royal decree is announced, the oknha association is prepared to act according to its contents,” he said.

Oknha Mengly J Quach, the chairman and CEO of MJQ Education, told The Post on February 13 that in some countries, some honours and titles were bestowed to people who had contributed to society. Such titles provided recognition for public service, he said.

However, some countries bestow titles along partisan lines or thanks to cash donations which undermines the value of such titles, he added.

“I think this re-drafting should be considered because some oknha have used their titles in the past to protect themselves from the consequences of committing immoral acts, which create discontent among the public.

“We know that some oknhas have committed violence, or had crooked business dealings. Some have even been involved in deforestation. The actions of those who hold this title affects the honour of the King who bestows it,” he said.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... d-minister