Say Chhum (Khmer: សាយ ឈុំ; born 5 February 1945) is a Cambodian politician who most recently served as the president of the Senate of Cambodia from 2015 to 2024. He was the first vice president of the Senate until June 2015, when he succeeded Chea Sim upon the latter's death. He served as the Chairman of the Permanent Committee of the Central Committee of the Cambodian People's Party.

Say Chhum
សាយ ឈុំ
Chhum in 2019
3rd President of the Senate
In office
9 June 2015 – 3 April 2024
MonarchNorodom Sihamoni
Vice President
See list
Preceded byChea Sim
Succeeded byHun Sen
Vice President of the Cambodian People's Party
Assumed office
20 June 2015
Serving with Sar Kheng, Tea Banh and Men Sam An, and Hun Manet
PresidentHun Sen
Preceded byHun Sen
Second Vice President of the National Assembly
In office
21 March 2006 – 25 April 2012
PresidentHeng Samrin
Preceded byNguon Nhel
Succeeded byKhuon Sodary
First Vice President of the Senate
In office
24 March 2012 – 9 June 2015
PresidentChea Sim
Succeeded byNey Pena
Member of Parliament
for Kampong Speu
In office
14 June 1993 – 24 March 2012
Personal details
Born (1945-02-05) 5 February 1945 (age 79)
Kampong Cham, Cambodia, French Indochina
Political partyCambodian People's Party
Children3, incl. Say Sam Al

He was elected to represent Kampong Speu Province in the National Assembly in 2003.[1] He also served as Second Vice-President of the National Assembly.

As First Vice-President of the Senate, Say Chhum served as acting Senate President when the ailing Chea Sim was absent. Shortly after Chea Sim's death, Say Chhum was unanimously elected as President of the Senate on 9 June 2015 by the 51 senators present.[2]

His son, Say Sam Al, was appointed Minister of the Environment in 2013.

References

edit
  1. ^ "Election results" Archived 2008-06-16 at the Wayback Machine. Cambodia National Election Committee. Accessed June 18, 2008.
  2. ^ Khy Sovuthy and Mech Dara, "Say Chhum replaces Chea Sim as Senate President", The Cambodia Daily, 10 June 2015.