‘Oknha’ Relinquishment To Rebuild Public’s Respect for The Title: Social Analysts
The Cambodian Oknha Association joined the first mandate's second board meeting in February. Photo: The Cambodian Oknha Association Facebook
- By Meng Seavmey
- October 19, 2023 8:54 AM
PHNOM PENH – Tycoons are to lose their oknha title if they are sentenced for a crime or misdemeanor or involved in illegal businesses. The regulation is expected to rebuild respect for the title.
However, social analysts say tycoons and the Oknha Association need to take action to regain the value of the title.
In Article 23 of the Royal Decree on Title of “Oknha” signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on Oct. 11, tycoons will also lose their title if they do not fulfil their contribution for three years in a row without any reason, if they are sentenced for crimes or demeanors, if their title request document is fake or if they violate Article 22.
Article 22 says the entitled individuals must obey the Constitution, laws and other regulations; always adhere to morality; do legal businesses; and avoid action that affects the honor and dignity of the title.
The title shall be withdrawn when tycoons volunteer to relinquish it, Article 23 says.
Yong Kim Eng, president of the People Center for Development and Peace, supports the decision on the title relinquishment. He hopes that the law will rebuild the value of the title and maintain its value for society.
“The title award should not be based only on how much money the individual contributes to the country, but also on their morality and principles that people should take as a role model," Kim Eng said.
“Otherwise, they should not be awarded with the title if they don't have the models of morality the people can take after,” he added.
San Chey, executive director of the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability (ANSA), said all tycoons are not the same. Some are generous to society while some others are concerned only with their own projects.
“If any tycoon is involved in illegal businesses or a crime, not only will they lose the title, but they will also lose respect from the citizens,” he said.
The title award should be based strictly on the individual's contribution to society to avoid affecting other respectful tycoons.
Comparing previous tycoons and tycoons nowadays, he had seen some of them still doing illegal businesses while a few were misbehaving even though their title represents a role model for other people.
The Cambodian Oknha Association (COA), launched in June, should also have their own strategies to restore public respect for the title, Chey said.
In a previous interview, Chey said oknhas nowadays, despite the creation of a uniform, would make it hard to gain respect if they were involved in disputes with the citizens.
Cambodian Oknha Association president Ly Yong Phat said the association had 1,299 tycoons at the time.
The title is divided into three structural orders: Lok Neak Oknha, Neak Oknha, and Oknha. In Article 8, the title is only given to an individual who has contributed and is committed to the development of the country.
A sub-decree in 2017 increased the cost of the title from $100,000 to $500,000. Philanthropists who help the state by providing money or materials worth more than $100,000 can be awarded the National Construction Award No. 1.
