A prominent businesswoman who also has a senior position at the Commerce Ministry was made an assistant to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

According to a royal decree dated August 24, 2022, which was publicly released by the Council of Ministers on April 24, 2023, the king appointed Kha Leng as an assistant to Hun Sen with a rank equivalent to undersecretary of state. The new role has no salary and is in addition to her current government position, the decree says.

Kha Leng is currently secretary of state at the Commerce Ministry and head of the government’s working group in Sandek commune, Batheay district, Kampong Cham province, according to government posts.

In addition to her role in the government, Kha Leng was chair of Borribo Microfinance until August 29, 2022, according to the Commerce Ministry. She is also deputy general manager of Alpha Property Construction Group, Oknha News has reported.

According to the same article, Kha Leng is the wife of tycoon Ly Kunthai, who is a personal adviser to the prime minister. Oknha Ly Kunthai is chairman of Alpha Group, chairman of Alpha Commercial Bank and vice president of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce.