Prime Minister Hun Sen promoted his second-oldest son, Hun Manith, to director of military intelligence for the Defense Ministry in a sub-decree last month.
Mr. Manith is the second of Mr. Hun Sen’s sons to be appointed to a top post in the military. His eldest son, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, leads the counterterrorism department.
Maj. Gen. Manith will take the position from Chea Dara, a four-star general currently serving as the deputy commander in chief of the army, after being the department's deputy. General Dara will keep his position as deputy commander in chief.
Critics of the move have called it nepotism and an effort by Mr. Hun Sen to solidify his family's place in the government and army.
Meas Ny, a political analyst, said that Mr. Hun Sen is afraid of losing control of the military if the Cambodian People's Party loses the next election. The premier has already warned that civil unrest could be sparked by a victory of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party in the next national election, which is scheduled for July 2018.
“The Intelligence position is very important,” Mr. Ny said. He said the appointment was not merely part of a plan to install a successor for Mr. Hun Sen. Being on top of all information gathered by the military will have an effect on the stability of the government, Mr. Ny explained.
Dr. Ny added that Mr. Hun Sen was preparing his family for the possibility of an end to CPP rule. Because the prime minister cannot simply select his successor, he is making sure that no matter who is in power, he will still be in control of the upper echelons of the military, Dr. Ny said.
In an interview broadcast in Australia earlier this week Mr. Manet was asked whether he aspired to replace his father. He responded that it was up to the people of Cambodia to choose their leader.
Speculation that one of the prime minister’s sons is being groomed to replace him has escalated in recent weeks.