The leadership of the Cambodian Ohkna Association (COA) attend the association’s 2024 annual convention, held last month. COA
The Cambodian Oknha Association (COA) will pursue legal action against any Oknha who are found to have engaged in activities that damage the honour of the title, which can only be bestowed by His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni.
The warning came just a day after the Ministry of National Defence announced that it will discipline Oknha Chheav Monen, who serves as a Brigadier General in the Royal Cambodian Air Force, for posting a series of “inappropriate” videos to TikTok.
In an April 2 press release, the association called on all titleholders to strictly uphold honour, morality, civility and dignity in society, whether in their business or personal lives.
The CAO urged those who have received the Oknha title to exercise the utmost care when using social media or other means of communication, so as to avoid sharing any actions or words that could harm the prestigious title granted by the King.
“The Cambodian Oknha Association will take concrete legal action against any titleholder found to have committed acts or used words that affect the value and supreme prestige of the Oknha title, in accordance with the royal decree and sub-decree mentioned above,” said the release.
The association represents each of the Oknhas in Cambodia. It outlined its roles, duties, rights and obligations as to preserve and enhance the value and supreme prestige of the Oknha title, a highly esteemed royal honour bestowed by the King since ancient times.
Although the release did not name any specific individual, it was likely in reference to Monen, who has been accused of affecting the reputation of the defence ministry and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.
Yang Peou secretary-general of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, stated that any violation of the law, discipline, ethical standards or provisions of a royal decree must be met with the measures which are stipulated in the decree.
He believed that institutions like the COA must take action when necessary; otherwise, individuals will continue their inappropriate behaviour and the authorities will fail to fulfil their mandates.
