Wealth declaration must be done in secret: Xok An on the “secrecy” of the anti-corruption law

Xok An (Photo: AFP)

Thursday 11 March 2010
Source: Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata for KI-Media

During a discussion on the anti-corruption draft law held at the National Assembly plenary session, vice-PM Xok An, the minister in charge of the Council of Ministers, said that declaration of wealth by government officials is aimed toward government officials including ministers, secretaries of state and officials nominated by royal decrees and sub-decrees, etc…, and that these declarations cannot be made openly because it could affect personal security (sic!).

Xok An added that: “Therefore, as a first step, we must consider these declarations to be made in secret, but we must make is such that these officials dare declare their personal wealth. Furthermore, the declaration of wealth is a sensitive issue.” SRP MP Yim Sovann said that the declaration of wealth by government officials should be done openly so that there is a broad knowledge among the people, and it should not be done in secret inside an envelope. Yim Sovann said that to counter corruption, there shouldn’t be any retribution on the witnesses who dare provide any proof to this effect.