Cambodian Senators Meet Local Officials to Discuss Development Funds and Law Enforcement

A delegation of senators from the 3rd region of Cambodia, led by Senator Mam Bun Neang, met separately with commune councilors, clerks, and administrative police chiefs in Leuk Daek and Kien Svay districts of Kandal province on July 22, 2026. A total of 192 local officials participated. Senator Mam Bun Neang conveyed greetings from the Senate leadership and explained the purpose of the meeting: to foster closer ties with district leaders, particularly commune councilors who are electoral bodies. The session also aimed to present the role of communes and districts in registration according to court decisions and to disseminate information on the sub-decree concerning the organization and operation of the government's "Brotherhood Fund." The discussions also sought to understand local challenges, requests, and progress. Dr. Chan Sothavy, Secretary of the Senate delegation and Chairwoman of the Senate's Legislation and Justice Commission, delivered a presentation on "The Role of Communes and Districts in Registration According to Court Decisions and Assistance in Local Dispute Resolution." This presentation was intended to strengthen the effective implementation of laws, protect the legal rights and interests of citizens, and enhance the capacity of administrative authorities in providing better public services at the local level. Dr. Sothavy clearly elaborated on relevant legal provisions to address issues raised by participants. Attendees expressed their gratitude, noting that the presentation directly responded to the practical needs encountered by local authorities in their service to the public. Following this, Senator Mam Bun Neang disseminated information about the sub-decree on the "Organization and Operation of the Brotherhood Fund." This initiative aims to address concerns raised by commune councilors regarding limited budget allocation to sub-national levels. The sub-decree, issued by the government on April 30, 2026, seeks to ensure equity and transparency in local development by reallocating resources from higher-income sub-national administrative areas to support those with lower economic potential. It also aims to increase the capacity and capabilities of municipal, district, and commune administrations in local development and public service delivery. Furthermore, Senator Mam Bun Neang announced the provision of 100 scholarships through a Memorandum of Understanding between the Senate's 10th Commission and the Cambodian Digital Intelligence Institute (E-school). These scholarships are intended for individuals in communes wishing to pursue general education and various skills through online learning. During the meeting, Senator Mam Bun Neang also informed the attendees about significant events related to the Thai military's encroachment on Cambodia's territorial integrity. He stated that Cambodian leaders have been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, participating in major international meetings to defend their sovereignty. As a result, the General Assembly of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly, comprising nearly 100 countries, recently held a plenary session and issued a resolution calling on Thailand to respect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to cease all unilateral actions by the Thai military. Russia has also pledged to support Cambodia in strengthening its national defense capabilities by providing military training and equipment. To conclude, the senators presented gifts to the participating commune councilors, clerks, and administrative police chiefs. Each recipient received a package of beverages from the Global Life Sharing Rescue Organization of the Republic of Korea, along with a sum of money. The total expenditure for these donations was 14,300,000 Cambodian Riels. Source: CPP Cambodia