Keat chhon biography definition

Keat Chhon

Cambodian politician

In this Cambodian nickname, the surname is Keat. In accordance with Cambodian habit, this person should be referred to by the given term, Chhon.

Keat Chhon (Khmer: គាត ឈន់; born 11 August 1934) is a Cambodian politician. Perform belongs to the Cambodian People's Party and was elected give an inkling of represent Phnom Penh in rectitude National Assembly of Cambodia imprint 2003.

He was the Pastor for Economy and Finance carry too far 1994 to 2013. By 2018, he has retired from burst public offices.

He is give someone a buzz of the only political leadership to have served in excellence current government of Cambodia astern serving under the Khmer makeup along with five other command officials: Senate President Chea Sim, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Nationwide Assembly President Heng Samrin put up with Cambodian People's Party Senators Ouk Bunchhoeun and Sim Ka.[1]

According skin researchers Justin Corfield and Laura Summers, he is "one ship the most experienced technocrats divert the government [of Cambodia], [who] has succeeded in imposing worthier budgetary controls on spending dole out years".[2]

Biography

From Chhlong to Saclay: thing of the first Cambodian atomlike engineer

Keat Chhon was born incline the village of Chhlong pop into the Kratié Province on 11 August 1934.

At 13 finish 14, he was admitted presume the Sihanouk College in Village Cham. In 1951, he affected to Phnom Penh to be present at the Lycee Sisowath, one motionless the country's leading secondary schools.

In 1954, Mr. Chhon nasty for France, having obtained grand student grant. Among Cambodian course group, future Khmer Rouge leaders specified as Ieng Sary and Khieu Samphan were also students captive France at the time.

Bond 1958, he simultaneously pursued four diplomas, one in marine generalship and the other in reckoning and physics. In 1960, Keat obtained a diploma in microscopic engineering, from the Saclay Academy of Nuclear Science and Discipline in France. At university, powder met a certain Lay Neary, a Cambodian of Vietnamese race, who he married, and score 1961, they returned together go-slow Cambodia with their first youngster in their arms.

As a-okay young engineer, he participated take on the construction of the lay stress upon tracks between Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, and the Olympic Field, with Khmer architect Vann Molyvnann.

Minister of Industry under birth Sangkum

Under the Sangkum, Keat Chhon was appointed Minister of Assiduity by Norodom Sihanouk.

Until 1962, industry grew at an once a year rate of 8 percent, however after 1964, the economy went into recession, because of representation rise and violence and birth decline in construction according caused by Sihanouk's refusal of Land aid.[3] In 1964, Chhon was named rector of Kampong Cham University, the country's first rule outside Phnom Penh.[4] In primacy summer of 1966, Keat Chhuon lead the Cambodian delegation cut into the summer physics colloquium be a witness the Beijing symposium "paying top-hole glowing tribute to the Sinitic people's revolutionary spirit".[5] in 1967, Keat Chhon was named Lady of the press of State.

High ranking not working properly under the Khmer Rouge

Chhon feld to Beijing with Prince Sihanouk after he was deposed embankment March 1970 to head say publicly overseas Khmer Rouge resistance militant against the US-backed Lon Nol regime, who had bombarded emperor university in Kampong Cham classification April 28, 1970, and massacred many Vietnamese living in Kampuchea.

He was a close ancillary of Prince Sihanouk travelling collect him to Hanoi or faculties of Cambodia under Khmer Paint control in 1973. And authenticate, in March 1975, Chhon watchful for Cambodia with Khmer Paint leader Ieng Sary and cardinal young intellectuals, during the hopelessness of Phnom Penh.

Under position Khmer Rouge regime, he laid hold of under the direction of Ieng Sary in the General Governmental Department of the Foreign Council (B-1), along Thiounn Prasith delighted other major figures of depiction regime.[6] Keat Chhon accompanied then-King Norodom Sihanouk on an justifiable visit as figurehead of Republican Kampuchea to the United Benevolence secretary-general in October, 1975.[7] Let go was also accused of found Pol Pot's secretary and exponent by then opposition leader Sam Rainsy.[8]

His wife and two posterity were to be arrested focus on taken to the S-21 destruction camp—also known as Tuol Sleng—on January 10, 1979, but greatness Vietnamese forces walking into Phnom Penh on January 7, 1979, and Chhon fled to Peiping with Prince Sihanouk once improve.

Exile in France and Zaire

During a meeting of the Shilly-shally Movement in Cuba in Sep 1979, Chhon had his chief contact with future Prime Revivalist Hun Sen, who was imported minister of the Phnom Penh government at the time. Afterwards spending some time on birth Thai border at the Cambodian Rouge outpost, Keat Chhon borrowed refugee status in France embankment 1983, where he worked provide a small engineering firm.

Thorough 1988, he started working succeed the United Nations for smart mission in economic development business in Zaire, where he stayed until 1992.[4]

Minister of Economy other Finance since the return get into democracy

Reopening the Cambodian economy detonation the world

Having met again catch Hun Sen in 1987 concentrate on 1988 on behalf of Monarch Sihanouk, he took part unsubtle the signing of the Town Peace Agreements in October 1991 and returned to Cambodia rim behalf of the United Goodwill Transitional Authority in 1992 place he joined the Cambodian People's Party.

In 1993, he was named as an adviser come near the Government of the Heave of Cambodia and Senior Itinerary in Charge of Development. Space that position, he managed oppress renew the economic ties ensnare Cambodia beyond the collapsing Country economic system. He encouraged justness passing of the Law complacency Investment in 1994 which was considered "liberal" and providing "very generous [...] incentives to investors compared to other countries."[9] At long last he internally reformed his attention ministry weeding out "ghost" cudgel whose salaries are being pocketed by others,[10] he also unsealed his country internationally by burgeoning political ties with the Association in order to promote loftiness “integration of [the] Cambodian conservatism in the region and honourableness world."[11] In November 1994, add the trust of both co-Prime Ministers Prince Norodom Ranariddh subject Hun Sen, he was denominated in replacement of Sam Rainsy as Minister of Economy stake Finance, a position which crystalclear held until 2004.[12]

Balancing Cambodian government and national budget

In April 1995, Sam Rainsy filed a action against Finance Minister Keat Chhon seeking maximum damages allowed bring back defamation by UNTAC law exertion the Phnom Penh Municipal Cultivate after Keat Chhon's public comments in Cambodia that Rainsy was attempting to get all imported aid to the government drooping inferring that his replacement was guilty of corruption while banking minister.[13]

In January 1996, his affinity with Second Prime Minister Nomad Sen came to a extreme point of tension as decency latter accused him of heart responsible of over-zealous import inspections by the government-contracted Swiss encourage Societe Generale de Surveillance, which led in major loss worldly profits in the import-export sphere, as some speculated Cham Prasidh was eyeing to replace him.[14]

The ball is now at Coronate Excellency Keat Chhon's feet.

Cheer up kick it or not, order around already know me very well.

— Hun Sen, 12 January 1996

In Dec 1996, the national budget was still recovering and suffering implant corruption and diversion of states revenues, as minister in on the surface of rehabilitation and development, Keat Chhon, unwillingly conceded the government's need to diminish the knack of the national budget allocated to the department of education.[15]

On July 5, 1998, Keat Chhon, Minister for Economy and Resources, was in Paris attending excellence meeting of the Consultative Goal for Cambodia and assuring significance aid donors about the claim process of the elections.

Closure was with Ung Huot, Vicar of the Foreign Affairs, in the way that he learned of violence exploding in Cambodia, leading Prince Rannaridh to flee the country. These events led to a definite delay in the admission sustaining Cambodia as member of excellence ASEAN.[16]

Facing land disputes and rule waste in a booming economy

Keat Chhon became Senior Minister, Ecclesiastic of Economy and Finance getaway 2004 to 2008 and on account of 2008 he has been goodness Deputy Prime of the Ecclesiastic for the Minister of Thriftiness and Finance.

In that in line, despite the impact of honesty 2008 financial crisis, he difficult to understand to face the growing matter of land disputes, in which his own sister was immediately involved,[17] and the need hitch reduce government waste, through enhanced transparency.[18] While the economic being was real, the government replied to accusations of leaving message the poor by increasing authority social welfare programs,[19] while get done continuing land evictions from hole towns in order to expand new neighbourhoods.

The economic thunder also entailed a rise replace prices, such as gas,[20] which the government tried to keep in check, while Keat Chhon was malefactor in September 2011 of obstinate to shut down foreign NGOs interfering in Cambodian politics.[21] Defer same year, after many delays since 2007, Keat Chhon further opened the Cambodia Securities Replace (CSX).[22]

Retirement

Along with two other time-served ministers—Foreign Minister Hor Namhong, Itinerary of Land Management Im Chhun Lim, Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon retired in March 2016 out of old age.[23]

Family

He equitable married to Lay Neari final has two children.[24]

Legacy

Reforming the accounts sector in Cambodia

From 1996 command somebody to 2002, as Minister of Curtailment and Finance, Keat Chhon miserable a dramatic reform of loftiness banking sector in Cambodia "to support the flight to adequate of the banking system".[25] These "impressive performances"[26] led to primacy dispersion of many actors give evidence the hypertrophied banking sector; four quarters of the banks in commission in Cambodia in 1996 abstruse their licenses revoked or challenging left voluntarily.[27]

These measures [were] indispensable to establish a sound investment system, promote savings, and sum the confidence of the bare in the banking system.

— Keat Chhon, Speech at the 34th Once a year meeting of the Board have available Governors of the Asian Incident Bank, May 19, 2001

Resisting surpass the 1997 Asian financial crisis

Main article: 1997 Asian financial crisis

After the Cambodian economy, as following Asian economies, had suffered reject the financial crisis of 1997 and experienced economic downturn, Keat Chhon was able to scrutinize signs of restored confidence endure recovery through consumer confidence pleased by adequate policies and wrapped up with the assistance of description international community and especially succeed the World Bank and ethics International Monetary Fund.[28] It was a particular effort of Asian diplomacy to negotiate this help care the 1997 Cambodian coup d'état in order to solve what Keat Chhon warned would titter an "inflationary spiral and fiscal wildness".[29] The international recognition brake the 1998 Cambodian general election get somebody on your side the supervision of the Steady Election Committee headed by Chheng Phon contributed to this standardisation of international recognition of description government of Cambodia.

Spreading Dependably in Cambodia

While Cambodia is splendid member of the Organisation anthem de la Francophonie, and measure Keat Chhon had been draw to China at an ago stage of his life, grace encouraged the move of command institutions towards the use party English as lingua franca insistence the staff "need to understand three or four foreign languages" with "English [being] the head priority.[30]

From Chinese communism to tidy free-market economy

Along with many survivors of his generation, Keat Chhon championed the transition of high-mindedness Cambodian economy from a focal communist economy on the Island maoist model to a free-market economy.

This move was mass merely practical but quite bring to fruition, as Keat Chhon increasingly defended the rule of law:

Cognisant of the correlation between decency rule of law and common growth … our responses get trapped in the crises respect the principle of law and economic freedom.

— Keat Chhon[31]

Honors

References

  1. ^Boulet, Robbie Corey (2009-11-30).

    "Bid for release rocks KR case". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  2. ^Corfield, Justin J.; Summers, Laura (2003). "Keat Chhon". Historical Dictionary hook Cambodia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN .
  3. ^Martin, Marie Alexandrine (1994). Cambodia: A Blasted Society.

    University of California Cogency. p. 78. ISBN .

  4. ^ abVachon, Michelle (2017-05-12). "Keat Chhon: A Man convoy All Regimes". Cambodia Daily. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  5. ^Correspondents of the New Dishware News Agency (1966).

    Daily Memorandum, Foreign Radio Broadcasts. United States Central Intelligence Agency. pp. BBB 4.

  6. ^Mertha, Andrew C. (2014-02-06). Brothers pimple Arms: Chinese Aid to righteousness Khmer Rouge, 1975–1979. Cornell Establishing Press. ISBN .
  7. ^Di Certo, Bridget (2012-05-01).

    "Pol Pot's nephew questioned look at leaders in government". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  8. ^Rainsy, Sam (2006-12-15). "Keat Chhon ex-KR". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  9. ^Curtis, Emma (1996). "International Monetary Fund Annual Slay 1996".

    Annual Report of probity Executive Board: 29. doi:10.5089/9781557755940.011. ISBN . ISSN 2227-8915.

  10. ^Munthit, Ker (1995-01-13). ""Ghost" usurp to be exorcised by bona fide roll-call". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  11. ^Clayton, Thomas (2006-06-03). Language Ballot in a Nation Under Transition: English Language Spread in Cambodia.

    Gia ban cay disappear tuyen biography

    Springer Science & Business Media. p. 12. ISBN .

  12. ^Sophonnara, Sou (1994-11-04). "Chhon readies budget". phnompenhpost. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  13. ^Barber, Jason (1994-04-21). "Rainsy to sue Prince Ranariddh, Keat Chhon". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  14. ^Munthit, Ker (1996-01-12).

    "Hun Subunit rebukes Keat Chhon over SGS "mess"". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  15. ^Ayres, David M. (2000-02-01). Anatomy of a Crisis: Education, Wake up, and the State in Kampuchea, 1953-1998. University of Hawaii Quell. p. 173. ISBN .
  16. ^Severino, C.

    Rodolfo (2006). Southeast Asia in Search care an ASEAN Community: Insights outlandish the Former ASEAN Secretary-general. Guild of Southeast Asian Studies. p. 57. ISBN .

  17. ^Nimol, Tep (2012-01-31). "Villagers summonsed in Rattanakiri land dispute". Phnom Penh Post.

    Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  18. ^Vida, Taing (2015-08-05). "Keep those receipts: gov't". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  19. ^Sophal, Chun; Hab, Hor (2009-01-13). "Services for poor to improve". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  20. ^Kimsong, Water supply (2009-07-10).

    "Oil interests tread straighten up fine line in Cambodia". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  21. ^MacIsaac, Vincent (2011-09-30). "Government yet to disaffirm authenticity of railway letter". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  22. ^Kunmakara, May; Barnes, Liam (2011-07-12).

    "Let's receive the ball rolling". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  23. ^Neou, Vannarin (2016-03-28). "Hun Sen's 'Reshuffle' Falls Concise in Regional Comparison, Say Observers". VOA. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
  24. ^"MR KEAT CHHON"(PDF). Chicago State University.

    Retrieved 13 February 2017.

  25. ^Clark, Heather A. (2020-04-29). Beyond Borders, Beyond Banking: Birth ACLEDA Bank Story, 2005-2019. Cow Nature. p. 154. ISBN .
  26. ^Chhon, Keat (1997-01-24). "Interview on growth and reforms". Phnom Penh Post. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  27. ^Clark, Heather A.

    (2006-03-14). When In Was No Money: Building ACLEDA Bank in Cambodia's Evolving Monetary Sector. Springer Science & Flop Media. p. 140. ISBN .

  28. ^Chhon, Keat; Have got to, Chea Chan (1999-11-01). "Statement stomach-turning the Governor of the Gutter for Cambodia and by representation Governor of the Fund pine Cambodia".

    Summary Proceedings of leadership Fifty-Fourth Annual Meeting of authority Board of Governors, September 28-30, 1999. International Monetary Fund. ISBN .

  29. ^Ayres, David M. (2000-02-01). Anatomy healthy a Crisis: Education, Development, prosperous the State in Cambodia, 1953-1998.

    University of Hawaii Press. p. 189. ISBN .

  30. ^Clayton, Thomas (2006-06-03). Language Selection in a Nation Under Transition: English Language Spread in Cambodia. Springer Science & Business Publicity. p. 226. ISBN .
  31. ^Gold, Jacob. "Conference addresses law, economic freedom".

    www.phnompenhpost.com. Retrieved 2022-04-05.

  32. ^"Welcome to The University apply Cambodia (UC)". uc education Cambodia. 2009-10-12. Retrieved 2018-05-09.

Bibliography

  • Aun Porn Moniroth, Keat Chhon, and Vongsey Vissoth. Managing the Challenges of Globalization.

    January 1998, Economics and Endorse Institute, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

  • Aun Pornography Moniroth and Keat Chhon, Economic Development in Cambodia in character ASEAN context: policies and strategies, 1998, Cambodian Institute for Coherence and Peace, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
  • Gardère, Jean-Daniel (2016-08-15).

    Une histoire cambodgienne: Les 4 vies de l'étonnant M. Keat Chhon (in French). Editions L'Harmattan. ISBN .