In a move aimed at enhancing governmental efficiency and adapting to the digital age, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has announced a significant restructuring plan. This initiative will see the reduction of three general departments and 30 departments across multiple ministries and state agencies. The announcement was made during the opening of the new headquarters for the General Department of Taxation, where Hun Manet emphasized the plan as part of an ongoing effort to reform public administration.
Hun Manet outlined the goals of the restructuring, highlighting improved government efficiency, reduced public expenditure, and a better alignment of state institutions with the fast-paced demands of a digital society. The reform is a result of extensive reviews conducted on 16 ministries and institutions, aiming to bolster institutional performance, refine human resource management, and optimize state resource utilization. He stressed that the initiative is designed to modernize operations rather than pursue political agendas.
In line with the modernization goals, several ministries and agencies have taken steps to establish specialized units focusing on digital systems and artificial intelligence. This is part of the broader digital transformation agenda that the government is pushing forward. Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many reinforced this approach by stating that the government aims to strengthen existing structures, not expand them. The Ministry of Public Service, along with 12 other institutions, has already streamlined several departments and offices, keeping staffing levels intact while increasing responsibilities to boost productivity.
Despite these efforts, some observers remain doubtful about the actual impact and speed of the reforms. Critics argue that for administrative reform to be truly effective, it needs to start with cutbacks at the highest levels of government and state institutions, which could lead to more substantial savings and efficiencies. Nonetheless, the restructuring initiative is part of Cambodia’s larger push to modernize public administration, improve governance, and prepare for future economic and technological advancements.