Cambodian Ambassador to South Korean Arrested This Morning by ACU for Corruption

Phnom Penh: According to Kampuchea Thmey, Mr. Soth Dina, Cambodian ambassador to South Korean arrested this morning by anti-corruption according to a high ranking officer.

His Excellency Orm Yinteang, the director of anti-corruption unit confirmed that Mr. Soth Dina was arrested this morning related to corruption. Currently he is being questioned.
Kampuchea Thmey couldn’t reach the spokesman of ministry of foreign affairs and cooperation for detail information. The arrest carried out while he was on his way from South Korea to Cambodia.

Couple days ago, the anti-corruption unit arrested an officer who work in the ministry of foreign affair and cooperation for corruption too. He was accused of committing corruption in processing the document. However, it hasn’t confirmed whether the ambassador has involved in this case.

I was wondering about this case as there are so many corrupted officials in Cambodia and why they are still free and go to work as normal. However until i read some posts on facebook made by CNRP supporters while help me to understand it and make the arrest more sense. In fact, he doesn't really like the government and he also doesn't really value the 7 January. Plus he also joined the rally in South Korea lead by CNRP supporters.

Samouth wrote:I was wondering about this case as there are so many corrupted officials in Cambodia and why they are still free and go to work as normal. However until i read some posts on facebook made by CNRP supporters while help me to understand it and make the arrest more sense. In fact, he doesn't really like the government and he also doesn't really value the 7 January. Plus he also joined the rally in South Korea lead by CNRP supporters.

Don't start rocking the boat when you're standing on the edge at the top.

The moral of the newspaper story may be that you are not corrupt unless you oppose the government. Corruption isn't a problem in The K of Wonder, people who oppose it are.

viper wrote:The moral of the newspaper story may be that you are not corrupt unless you oppose the government. Corruption isn't a problem in The K of Wonder, people who oppose it are.

Which is no different to the US of A if you read about the history of the Kennedy, Bush and Clinton families.

I would suggest there's a huge difference. While all Western countries are not immune to the problem; it's not the SYSTEM. If you don't believe me try paying a bit of friendly bacshish to a cop anywhere in N. America and Europe and see what it gets you then compare with The K.of W.

Corruption here is part of everyday culture. Many Khmers see nothing wrong with it. It's been like this for hundreds of years, perhaps more. Kickbacks and buying positions are as much a part of Khmer culture as Khmer New Year. I doubt it'll can change or disappear within a few years.

Bitte_Kein_Lexus wrote:Corruption here is part of everyday culture. Many Khmers see nothing wrong with it. It's been like this for hundreds of years, perhaps more. Kickbacks and buying positions are as much a part of Khmer culture as Khmer New Year. I doubt it'll can change or disappear within a few years.

Some activities now considered corruption in the West are not considered corruption in many other societies. Taking part of what is available in your position is the expected and old-as-time way appointed government figures made their money in most of the world. The idea of selfless public servants only earning a specific, annual government salary is a rather recent Western invention. Old time tax collectors always kept a portion of the takings and handed the rest over to the King. It was expected and accepted, up to a point. Everyone who could had "their hand in the till", but get too greedy and literally lose your head. Finding that dividing line was probably always very risky and controversial.

If that's the amount he got caught with this time,,, what has he got away with on previous occasions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ex-envoy to South Korea had piles of cash, ACU says as charges laid



Cambodian Ambassador to South Korea Suth Dina prepares to leave Phnom Penh Municipal Court last night after being charged with illegally embezzling money. Pha Lina
Mech Dara, The Phnom Penh Post
Fri, 8 April 2016

Controversial Ambassador to South Korea Suth Dina was charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for unlawful exploitation and abuse of power, after an Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) investigation found him in possession of 12.7 kilograms of gold and $7.2 million cash.

Dina’s defence lawyer, Hok Phalla, said the investigating judge had sent his client to pre-trial detention, adding that Dina told the judge that he was being wrongfully charged and only made “small administrative mistakes”, due to his diplomatic inexperience.

“He has limited experience in controlling general and administration work, especially accounting,” Phalla said. “He is still young and fresh for a diplomat.”

Dina has been charged with abuse of power under Article 35 of the Anti-Corruption Law and articles 597 and 598 of the Criminal Code for unlawful exploitation.

He was taken in for questioning by the ACU on Monday and remained in custody ever since.

At a press conference earlier in the day, ACU President Om Yentieng highlighted the extent of Dina’s infractions and the massive amounts of wealth he had allegedly amassed.


Read more »