Cambodian anti-corruption law to be submitted to parliament for approval

2008-08-25 11:11:53

PHNOM PENH, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The long-awaited anti-corruption draft law has been finalized and will be given to the National Assembly (NA) shortly after the new government is formed next month, English-Khmer language newspaper the Cambodia Daily said Monday.

"We have finished the (anti-corruption draft) law. When the penal code is approved, we will submit the anti-corruption (draft law) to avoid any changes," Khieu Kanharith, Information Minister and government spokesman, was quoted as saying at a press conference here Sunday.

The decision to turn over the draft law to the assembly will likely be made at the first cabinet meeting of the new government, which is scheduled to be formed shortly after NA convenes on Sept.24, he added.

Anti-corruption legislation first reached the assembly in 1994 but has never been passed. The government has placed much of the blame for the delay on the lack of an updated criminal code, saying that such legislation must first be adopted.

Cambodia just concluded its general election in July and the new government is expected to be established one month later.

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