Sok An

Who is Sok An?

Sok An is a Cambodian politician. He belongs to the Cambodian People's Party and was elected to represent Takeo Province in the National Assembly of Cambodia in 2003. Sok An is currently one of the six Deputy Prime Ministers of Cambodia. Cambodia has six cabinet members designated Deputy Prime Minister; however, the other five hold separate portfolios and Sok An is considered the "most senior", thus making his "first" job that of deputy prime minister.

Sok An was into a family of Hakka Chinese descent. One US Major who had worked in Cambodia during the 1990s also mentioned that Sok An had Vietnamese ancestry from his mother, and had given him the name of Hoa Van Anh. Sok An spent his formative years in his hometown at Takeo province where he completed his high school in 1967.

In April and May 2009, the Khmer Machas Srok Newspaper published two articles accusing Sok An and his official entourage of corruption. Following the stories and complaints by Cabinet Ministers, Hang Chakra, editor in chief of the Khmer Machas Srok was sentenced to one year in prison and a $2,250 fine for disinformation and defamation. Hang Chakra remained in Prey Sar prison in poor health until April 2010, when he was pardoned by the Cambodian King.