February 11, 2019
Ratanakkiri military police commander sacked amid scandal
The Ratanakkiri military police commander has been sacked and stripped of his rank by the government after footage of his lavish lifestyle surfaced on the internet and was criticised by social media users last week.
On Wednesday, Facebook user Gee Yong posted a video of Kim Reaksmey, now the former provincial military police commander, seemingly handing out $500,000 to his five children during a birthday celebration at his luxurious home.
The footage garnered negative comments and corruption allegations on the social media platform, with many questioning how a provincial military police commander could have such large amounts of money.
Prime Minister HE then announced that Mr Reaksmey was fired due to the scandal.
“If I do not do this, I should resign from my position,” Mr HE said.
Mr HE noted that he made the decision to fire Mr Reaksmey on behalf of National Military Police Commander General Sao Sokha and National Defence Minister General Tea Banh.
Additionally, Victory Intelligent Standard Association president Ruos Sarom on Friday filed a complaint against Mr Reaksmey to the Anti-Corruption Unit.
Mr Sarom said that his association observed the footage and other irregularities of Mr Reaksmey during his stint as provincial military police commander.
“The association thinks that Mr Reaksmey is an illegal log smuggler who used his name and power to exploit national resources,” he said in the complaint. “We [suspect] he is the person behind illegal deforestation in the province and had logs shipped to Vietnam for his own personal interests.”
Mr Sarom noted that an official who makes about $500 per month should not be able to disburse $500,000 among his children.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50576753/r ... d-scandal/
