Yim Sovann Explained

Yim Sovann
Office:Deputy Leader of the Opposition
Term Start:5 December 2016
Term End:31 January 2017
Leader:Kem Sokha
Predecessor:Kem Sokha
Successor:Position abolished
Office1:Member of Parliament
for Phnom Penh
Term Start1:25 November 1998
Term End1:16 November 2017
Majority1:125,529 (18.9%) (2013)
Term Start2:9 April 2013
Term End2:16 November 2017
Predecessor2:Position established
Successor2:Party dissolved
Office3:Chairman of Parliamentary Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration
Primeminister3:Hun Sen
Term Start3:2005
Term End3:2008
Office4:Treasurer of Sam Rainsy Party
Primeminister4:Hun Sen
Term Start4:June 1995
Term End4:2010
Leader4:Sam Rainsy
Successor4:Ky Wandara
Birth Date:1964 9, df=y
Birth Place:Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Party:Cambodia National Rescue Party
Sam Rainsy Party(1998–2012)
Spouse:Ke Sovannaroth
Profession:Politician, businessman

Yim Sovann (Central Khmer: យឹម សុវណ្ណ; born 28 September 1964) is a Cambodian politician, who was the Spokesperson and President of the Executive Committee of the Cambodia National Rescue Party. He was an elected member of the Cambodian parliament representing Phnom Penh until 2017, when the Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved. He is also a successful businessman, and a father of two children. He also served as Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Yim Sovann was first elected to represent Phnom Penh in the National Assembly of Cambodia in 1998. Age just 34 at the time, he was Cambodia's youngest parliamentarian. He ventured into Cambodian politics as the Secretary to the Minister of Finance in 1993 and later became a founding member of the Khmer Nation Party (later changed its name to Sam Rainsy Party). He was the Treasurer and Spokesperson of the Sam Rainsy Party. When the Cambodian National Rescue Party was formed, he was appointed President of the Executive Committee of the party as well as being the Party's Spokesperson. He was also the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration from 2005 to 2008 in the National Assembly of Cambodia. In January 2015, he became Secretary General of the Parliamentary Minority Group. In December 2016 following Sam Rainsy's exile, he became Deputy Leader of the Opposition until the position was abolished by Parliament on 31 January 2017.

Yim Sovann is known for his calm but effective and motivational public speeches and is highly respected for his tireless effort in fighting against corruption and pursuing human rights in Cambodia. Due to his undoubted abilities, his nomination for the Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Investigation and Anti-Corruption, considered perhaps the most key parliamentary commission, was rejected by the ruling Cambodian People's Party on 27 August 2014. He has been an influential opposition party lawmaker having been elected since 1998.

Early life

Born in 1964, Sovann grew up in Phnom Penh and was forced to endure a miserable period like many other Cambodians under the Pol Pot regime.

Education

Yim Sovann graduated with a Bachelor of Economics from the National University of Management, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In 1993, he was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Japan where he received a Master's degree in Political Science from Saitama University, Japan. He has also received a degree from Tsinghua University, studying English and Japanese.

Politics

Yim Sovann entered politics as the assistant to the minister of finance during 1993–94, while continuing his studies in Japan. He has been a member of parliament (MP) for Phnom Penh since 1998. He was also Chairman of Parliamentary Commission on Interior, National Defense, and Civil Service Administration from 2005 to 2008 in the National Assembly. In January 2015, he became Secretary General of the Parliamentary Minority Group.[1] In January 2015, he became Secretary General of the Parliamentary Minority Group. In December 2016 following Sam Rainsy's exile, he became Deputy Leader of the Opposition until the position was abolished by Parliament on 31 January 2017.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.necelect.org.kh/English/ElectionResult/Result_2003/Result_2003.html "Election results"