January 17, 2023
Museum head alleged to have embezzled ticket sale revenue
Officials at the National Museum of Phnom Penh have lodged a complaint with the Anti-Corruption Unit, accusing the museum’s director of embezzling state income from ticket revenue.

According to the complaint submitted to Top Sam, President of the National Anti-Corruption Council and Om Yentieng, President of the Anti-Corruption Unit, dated 2 January, stating Chhay Visoth, director of the museum, a department of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, was involved in corruption and the museum management was irregular and prejudice.

The complaint also alleged Visoth committed corruption by taking money from the sales revenue from tickets at the National Museum in Phnom Penh, approximately $36,380 per month from January to December 2022, a yearly equivalent of $436,560.

The complaint further added that the acts committed by Visoth are corrupt and he has used his relationship with powerful officials to oppress and abuse subordinates with threats.

Visoth, Director of the National Museum Department said yesterday, “I completely reject the accusation of corruption and embezzling money from the state. If there is clear evidence of the allegations against me, I will happily appear at the ACU, because I have nothing to fear, so presently I am waiting to hear from the ACU.”

Long Buna Sereivuth, spokesman for the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts said yesterday, “He did not want to comment on this case as he waiting for the outcome of the investigation by the ACU.”
He added, “The accusation by the ministry officials does not confirm if Chhay Visoth is involved in corruption or the allegations that he is in collusion with a high ranking official in the ministry of culture, they are just rumours.”
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