1. Sar Kheng is the vice president of the ruling Cambodian People's Party and served as Minister of the Interior and deputy prime minister from 1992 to 2023.
17 Facts About Sar Kheng
1. 2.
Sar Kheng represents the province of Battambang in the Cambodian Parliament.
3.
Sar Kheng left office as interior minister in 2023 and was succeeded by his son, Sar Sokha.
4.
Sar Kheng was born on January 15,1951, during the Sangkum in Ang Daung Saat Village, Krabau Township, Kamchay Mear District, Prey Veng Province.
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Sar Kheng became the Minister of Interior in 1992 during the UN protectorate period overseeing the State of Cambodia's transition to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
6.
Sar Kheng was particularly opposed to the tactics behind the coup as they only reinforced the political position of the Khmer Rouge by perpetuating political instability in Cambodia.
7.
Three years later, while planning the 1997 coup to oust his popular co-Prime Minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Hun Sen personally confronted Sar Kheng to ensure his loyalty and support for the use of force.
8.
Sar Kheng warned Hun Sen against the use of violence and said that he would refuse to take part in a coup.
9.
Further, Sar Kheng could do nothing to reign in Hok Lundy, the head of the National Police force and close confidant of Hun Sen, who was accused of crimes and abuses of power ranging from human trafficking and drug smuggling to the murder of political opponents even though Lundy was under the authority of the Interior Ministry.
10.
Since this loss, Sar Kheng has been able to grow stronger and rein in any serious political opposition.
11.
In 2019, Sar Kheng sued Sam Rainsy for his allegations that he had been colluding with Dy Vichea against Hun Sen, accusations which he considered "fake news and incitements".
12.
Since coming to power in 1992, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has overseen the transition to democracy.
13.
Sar Kheng continues to attempt to be a mediating force in Cambodia politics.
14.
In September 2015, Sar Kheng announced the formation of a seven-person police commission to investigate the 2013 death threats made by CPP Interior Ministry official Lieutenant Colonel Pheng Vannak against CNRP deputy leader Kem Sokha.
15.
The investigation has resulted in Sar Kheng removing Vannak from his position.
16.
Sar Kheng is married to Nhem Sakhan with whom he has three children.
17.
Sar Kheng is brother-in-law to former president of the Cambodian National Assembly Chea Sim, who was CPP president until his death in 2015.