Ministry of Justice to Propose Official Salary Increases

January 28, 2016

Ministry of Justice to Propose Official Salary Increases

Ven Rathavong / Khmer Times

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The Ministry of Justice will request a salary raise for all of its judges, clerks and prosecutors, and has plans to create mobile court hearings, according to court officials yesterday. They will need the approval of Prime Minister Hun Sen as well as King Norodom Sihamoni in order to see their changes put in place.

Ministry of Justice spokesman Chin Malin said that the increase in wages could be anywhere from 40 to 50 percent, but is still being discussed. The final raises could either be lower or higher.

“Now we are organizing a royal decree, and we will know after this royal decree’s release, but we know that their salaries will be increased a lot,” Mr. Malin said.

He added that the raises will encourage officials to better respect their professions and the law. The ministry will also put rules in place to better enforce laws and punish corrupt officials.

Mr. Malin said that while people see all judges and prosecutor as corrupt, many are just and genuinely serve the people. He claimed there are only a small number of officials who are legitimately corrupt.

“We protect officials who are right and encourage them by promoting their rank and increasing their salary, and any officials who commit wrong acts will be punished,” he said.

According to Mr. Malin, the current salaries of judges and prosecutors are at least $300 per month, but vary depending on the position. There are roughly 600 judges and prosecutors practicing throughout the country.

Preap Kol, executive director of Transparency International Cambodia, doubted the small salary increases would translate to heightened transparency.

“Judges and prosecutors are people who must have standards, as they have reputations in society. They should not be under control of any people. Their salaries should not be lower than that of the prime minister or the lawmakers,” he said.

He added that judges and prosecutors should get at least $1,000 or $1,500 for their salaries per month.

Mr. Malin confirmed that his ministry will, in addition to raising salaries, organize mobile court hearings because many courtrooms are too small. “We may choose any case which is sensitive and interesting for the public, and then we will find a big hall that can accommodate many people to see the hearing,” Mr. Malin said.

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