Hun Xen admits: Wives of high-ranking CPP ministers meddling with state affairs

Cham Prasidh and his wife, the powerful Lok Chumteav Tep Bopha Prasidh, are well known
for running the Ministry of Commerce like their private business. Cham Prasidh's children are holding
high ranking positions at their father's ministry.

Comrade Hor 5 Hong, standing in front of his wife, runs the Ministry of Foreign Affairs like his own
business. His children hold high ranking position in his ministry.

A number of Chumteavs scolded during the International Women’s Day

08 March 2011
By Panhavoan
Cambodia Express News
Translated from Khmer by Soch

Phnom Penh – 08 March 2011 is the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day which several countries, including Cambodia, are celebrating. This is also a holiday for government officials, employees and workers throughout the country. While women all over the country are rejoicing with this event, a number of Chumteavs (wives of high-ranking government officials) have a long face because they are victim of Hun Xen’s warning which was issued yesterday. The high-ranking husbands of these Chumteavs are not happy about this situation either because they cannot control their wives and children.

During a speech given at a meeting to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the International Women’s Day at the Peace Palace of the Council of Ministers in the afternoon of 07 March 2011, Hun Xen issued his warning for the first time to the wives of government ministers, telling them not to meddle in their husbands’ state government work.

According to government workers, almost all government departments have turned into private family ministries because the wives of the ministers are meddling in the state business of their husbands, such as ordering the demotion or promotion of government workers. At some ministries, some ministers will nominate their children to important positions. But, all of this is old news in Cambodia.

Hun Xen said that he heard the complaints raised by government workers in a number of ministries that are involved with this problem, and he compared the situation to the old proverbs whereby the husband would be a captain, the wife a major, and their children colonels. This reason stems from the fact that ministers’ wives meddle in their husbands’ state affairs.

Hun Xen asked his ministers to tell their wives to just sleep at home because the government workers really hate their husbands due to their wives and children who rule over them. Hun Xen said that some ministries have turned into the ministers’ wives organization.

Hun Xen’s speech was welcomed by loud applauses. These applauses are mockery to these Chumteavs who like to meddle in their husbands’ state affairs, they are also sound of mockery to the ministers who allow themselves to be led by the nose by their wives.

Posted in: Cambodia