Congratulations to Premier Hun Sen who are amongst the first to declare his assets showing to Cambodian people his intention to solve the corruption issue.

Embarrassingly, Cambodia is on the PERC list as one of the most corrupted country on the planet. Although some people may think that it an April Fools day joke, corruption is serious threat to Cambodia.

The challenge here is whether the Cambodian people and the world will believe in such declarations done by the officials whom they believe are already corrupted.

Many Cambodian officials reportedly earn very little but do possess a lot. They have many properties, villas, luxurious vehicles, money to send their children overseas, and time to enjoy themselves in places where ordinary people can only dream. How do they earn the extra money? This is one of the questions.

Nevertheless, it is a good sign that something must be done about the corruption. Like corrosion that can destroy metal, corruption can destroy Cambodia (click here).

Additional reading in BKP click here.http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/229883/cambodian-pm-declares-assets-in-anti-graft-push

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Apr 1, 2011

Cambodian PM declares assets in anti-graft push

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen holds up a document detailing his personal assets Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) office in Phnom Penh. -- PHOTO: AFP

PHNOM PENH - CAMBODIAN Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday declared his personal assets to the country's new anti-corruption unit and urged officials to follow his lead in a bid to tackle rampant graft.
'Today, I have fulfilled my obligation under the anti-corruption law,' the premier said as he personally delivered his documents to the unit's headquarters in the capital Phnom Penh.
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Although the asset declaration is confidential, Hun Sen told reporters he earned a monthly salary of 4,600,000 riel (S$1,450).

He also encouraged senior government and military officials to follow his example ahead of a deadline next week. 'Don't be hesitant or afraid,' he said.

More than 100,000 state officials and heads of civilian organisations in Cambodia are required to make declarations of property, vehicles, business interests and other assets under the anti-graft law that was approved in 2010.

The confidential declarations will happen in stages and the April 7 deadline only applies to some officials, the anti-corruption unit said in a statement. -- AFP

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Cambodian PM declares assets to anti-graft board

Published April 01, 2011

| Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged civil servants to meet an upcoming deadline for making a mandatory declaration of their assets, as he took his turn.

Hun Sen said he was pleased that more than 10,000 officials have already made their confidential declarations to Cambodia's anti-corruption agency. About 25,000 are required to do so by April 7, or face up to a year in jail and a fine of up to 2 million riels ($500).

The requirement is part of an anti-corruption law first proposed 15 years ago but adopted only last year. Cambodia is routinely listed by independent groups such as Transparency International as one of the most corrupt countries in Asia.

Hun Sen told reporters his monthly salary is 4.6 million riels ($1,150).