PHNOM PENH: Former Executive Chairman of the Candlelight Party, Sar Longdeth, has been appointed as an advisor to the Royal Government as Undersecretary of State following his apology to the Prime Minister and subsequent denouncing of his former politics. Ex-Candlelight Party member Lonh Ratra was also given an advisory role.

Longdeth is the latest in a long list of former opposition members to be promoted in the government after renouncing any affiliation with self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who the Prime Minister considers a danger to society and a “Third Generation Traitor.” Longdeth was given a warning last week after the Prime Minister heard that he had criticized Cambodia for hosting the SEA Games free-of-charge to athletes and spectators last month. Having been warned, Longdeth tried to flee to Thailand but was unsuccessful. Upon his return to Phnom Penh on June 13, he released an apology video where he denounced the ideology of Sam Rainsy and asked to join the Cambodian People’s Party.

In a Royal Decree dated June 15, King Norodom Sihamoni ordered the appointment of Sar Longdeth as Undersecretary of State and Lonh Ratra as a General Director for the Royal Government.