Hem Koemsath, head of the Kang Meas district administration office in Kampong Cham province, was dismissed after charging $360 for a free public service. FB
The head of the Kang Meas district Administration and Finance Office in Kampong Cham province was dismissed from his position on March 26, after the provincial administration found that he had taken more than $300 from a member of the public to amend a birth certificate— a process that does not require any service fees.
A statement from Kampong Cham provincial governor Un Chanda explained that the provincial administration had received a complaint via Facebook, alleging that Hem Koemsath had taken $360 on March 21 from a citizen named Chheng Sokly, for the simple service of amending a birth certificate.
Sokly resides in Ou Popel village, in the district’s Khmao commune.
Following the complaint, the administration assigned a working group, led by the head of the Provincial Civil Affairs Office and the chief of the One Window Service Unit, to investigate the case.
Their findings concluded that the allegations were indeed true.
To discipline the official for his misconduct and to strengthen the effectiveness of the district administration, the administration ordered him dismissed.
“Proceed with the dismissal of Hem Koemsath from his position as the Head of the Administration and Finance Office and reassign him as a district office officer, without imposing any further penalties,” said the governor’s statement.
The governor instructed the district administration to monitor Koemsath’s performance. Should he be found guilty of further misconduct, legal measures would be taken, under the Civil Servants Law.
Chanda urged the district governor to ensure the district administration adhere to all legal procedures and guidelines, while improving the efficiency of the One-Window Service Office.
The office must ensure that services are provided transparently, adhering to established policies, including service time and costs, that are acceptable to the public.
He also ordered that regular monthly meetings be held to instruct officials on how to strengthen the performance of their duties and warned that if any further irregularities occur within the district administration, the provincial authorities will take action.
A call to the Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Identification confirmed that both issuing and amending birth certificates is free of charge.
