Hun Sen criticizes tax collectors, vows to fight corruption

Asian Political News, Dec 20, 2004

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 Kyodo

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned tax collectors Tuesday to perform their duties well or lose their jobs, saying tax income is being lost to corruption.

''Huge state revenue is lost, and expenditures are not properly used. We cannot allow such corruption to go on,'' Hun Sen said at the opening of a three-day national conference on good governance.

The remarks were made just days after foreign donors, including the United States, put pressure on the Cambodian government to take firm action against corruption.

Donors held a meeting in Phnom Penh on Dec. 6-7 and pledged $504 million to Cambodia next year.

Hun Sen did not reveal the amount of state revenue lost to corruption.

But the U.S. Agency for International Development has recently issued a report saying Cambodia loses $300 million to $500 million a year to corruption.

Showing the government's commitment to fight corruption, Hun Sen said Tuesday he would replace Hong Tha, current tax chief.

''I think that it is better for you to work at a higher level and oversee the taxation work as you have a lot of experience in knowing the mismanagement,'' Hun Sen said, referring to a top tax official to be assigned to new work at the office of the Council of Ministers.