King appoints new member to Privy Council

King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree appointing three former high-ranking government officials as members of the Supreme Privy Council of the King.

The royal decree signed on Tuesday ordered the appointment of Pol Saroeun, Government Adviser and former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces; Khieu Kanharith, Member of Parliament for Kampong Cham province and former Minister of Information; and Cham Prasidh, Member of Parliament for Kep province and former Minister of Industry, Science, Technology & Innovation; as advisers to the King with a rank equivalent to Deputy Prime Minister.

Yang Peou, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the appointment of a personal adviser to the King was a high-ranking position in the Royal Palace, which should be given to the appropriate officials at the right time.

Pov Sok, an expert of political science and a personal adviser to Prime Minister Hun Manet, said yesterday, “I think the appointments are good because according to the background of these three officials, they are all capable and honourable in society, it is also an encouragement and sets a good example for the younger generation to work hard for the nation as well.”

In a congratulatory message on Tuesday, Hun Sen, President of the Senate and President of the Cambodian People’s Party, acknowledged Saroeun’s contributions to national defense and the development of the country. He emphasized Saroeun’s role in achieving peace, stability, national unity, and democracy, as well as maintaining national independence and territorial integrity. He also highlighted Saroeun’s loyalty to the throne and participation in the protection and sustainability of the monarchy.

He added that Kanharith has contributed to the building and restoration of Cambodia to achieve peace, stability, and national unity and development, especially in the field of information, freedom of expression and the promotion of liberal, multi-party democracy and is loyal to the throne and always protects the continuity of the monarchy.

Cham Prasidh has contributed to the promotion of trade relations, especially with neighbouring countries, in the regional and global framework, achieving many great achievements and successes that contribute greatly for the development of the nation, Mr Hun Sen said.

He stated that Prasidh also contributed significantly to the cause of fulfilling the mission of defending Cambodia’s independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty on the international stage, as well as being loyal to the throne and contributing to the protection of the monarchy.

In response to Mr Hun Sen’s message yesterday, Prasidh vowed to continue to fulfill his national mission by following the wise leadership of Mr Hun Sen, who in his lifetime always valued the common good of the nation and took strength, mind, intellect, skills and experience in leading Cambodia.

He added for more than four decades, Mr Hun Sen’s leadership has solved major national problems, firmly defending territorial integrity, maintaining peace and political stability, and national unity, which is the foundation for the nation to expand its national prestige on the international stage.