Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, has laid out a plan to reform the country’s public administration by cutting down on bureaucracy across government institutions. The initiative includes the elimination of three general departments and 30 specific departments within various ministries and state agencies. This move is part of a broader effort to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and reduce public expenditure in response to the demands of the digital age.
During the unveiling of the General Department of Taxation’s new headquarters, Hun Manet highlighted the objectives of the restructuring: to bolster institutional performance, enhance management of human resources, and optimize the use of state resources. He stressed that the reforms are designed to modernize government functions without serving any political agendas. This ongoing review has already covered 16 ministries and institutions, aligning with the country’s push towards digital transformation.
To support this shift, some ministries and agencies have started establishing specialized units that focus on digital systems and artificial intelligence. Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many emphasized that the government aims to strengthen existing structures rather than expand them. He pointed out that the Ministry of Public Service and 12 other institutions have already implemented departmental reductions, maintaining staffing levels while increasing employee responsibilities to boost productivity.
Despite these efforts, there is skepticism among some observers regarding the speed and impact of the planned reforms. Critics argue that true administrative reform should begin with downsizing at the highest levels of government to achieve significant savings and enhance efficiency. Nonetheless, the restructuring represents Cambodia’s broader endeavor to modernize its public administration and align its governance with future economic and technological advancements.