Cabinet chief Phat Sikan was elected as the new president of the Beehive Social Democratic Party after the party held a congress on Sunday in Kandal province.
Mr Sikan, 64, was elected to lead BSDP at the congress in Kien Svay district’s Koki commune, attended by nearly 200 members following the resignation of former party president Huon Pannary in November.
Ms Pannary was elected as president of BSDP in September after prominent radio host and government critic Mam Sonando resigned in August from the party he founded, because he was disappointed by the results of the commune elections.
Mr Sikan said 169 members of BSDP came from Phnom Penh and eight other provinces: Prey Veng, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Kampong Chhang, Pursat, Siem Reap, Kandal, and Kampong Cham for the congress.
Mr Sikan explained he worked with Funcinpec between 1991 and 1997. He joined the association created by former BSDP president Mr Sonando in 2010.
Mr Sonando created BSDP in September 2015, and Mr Sikan became a party member in Kampong Speu province after permanent party members saw his experience and abilities, and appointed him as deputy general secretary, then as cabinet chief.
“I will continue to lead this party and I hope we find success in the future,” Mr Sikan said. “We will join the national election in 2018.”
Ms Pannary could not be reached for comment.
Lay Narin, general secretary of BSDP, said that Mr Sikan has strong morals and is fit to lead the party.
“Most members like him and support him in his upcoming job as president,” Mr Narin said. “I hope our party improves in the future.”
