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Samdech Chea Sim
Biography
Chea Sim
was born on November, 1932 in Romeas Hek district, Svay
Reing province from one of the farming families. Chea Sim’s
father’s name is Mr. Chea Sao and mother’s name is Mrs. Pen
Nao. Chea Sim is the 3rd son in the family of 4
sons and one daughter.
1- Chea
Sorn - oldest brother
2- Chea Nou - oldest sister
3- Chea Sim - the third child
4- Chea Phon - first younger brother
5- Chea Phun - second youngest brother
During his
childhood because Chea Sim desired to respect Buddhism and
Khmer culture, he started his education in one of the local
Buddhist school and became a monk. He then graduated from
the
Buddhist
Juniors High School.
Between
1951 and 1954, Chea Sim, became involved with the revolution
movement of Khmer Ysarak in order to help find the
independence for Cambodia.
Later, Chea
Sim married to Ms. Nhem Soeun in 1955 then they had 7
children, 4 sons and 3 daughters.
1- Chea Sak (son)
2- Chea Sam Ath (daughter)
3- Chea Sam Eng (daughter)
4- Chea Pin (daughter)
5- Chea Thea (son)
6- Chea Tha (son)
7- Chea Somethy (son)
From 1954
to 1975, he joined a national resistant movement and then
was appointed as a chief of a commune and district for his
great effort and contribution.
The
historical mission of a national liberation movement during
1978 brought him to the position as deputy chairman of the
United Front of National Solidarity and Salvation of
Kampuchea. In his salvation mission for Cambodia, in between
year 1978 to 1979, he lost his beloved eldest son Mr. Chea
Sak and other brothers, Chea Sorn, Chea Phon, Chea Phun
which were all heroes of the United Front of National
Solidarity and Salvation of Kampuchea.
After the 7th
of January, 1979, Chea Sim had been elected as a chairman of the United Front
of Solidarity, Development and Defense of Cambodia until
present.
From 1979
to 1981, Chea Sim was elected to be the minister of the
Ministry Of Interior for
Cambodia.
From 1981
to 1993, Chea Sim was elected again as a member of the
National Assembly for Prey Veng Province Station and also as
the President of National Assembly of State of Cambodia.
On the 17th
October, 1991 the 14th meeting of the Central Committee of the
Cambodian People Party (CPP), had elected Chea Sim as the
president of the Party.
Within a
new phase of peace and national reconciliation through the
first general election organized by United Nations
Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) on May, 1993,
Chea Sim was elected as a member of National Assembly for
Phnom Penh City Station. Later Chea Sim was selected to be a
deputy president of the National Assembly for the Kingdom of
Cambodia.
In the
first meeting of the first legislature of National Assembly
of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on the 25th October,
1993, Samdech Chea Sim then was elected again as the
president of National Assembly of the
Kingdom of
Cambodia.
On the 9th
November, 1993, Chea Sim had been awarded the title of “Samdech” by His
Majesty king Sihanuk, the king of
Kingdom of
Cambodia.
On the 2nd
March, 1998, Samdech Chea Sim obtained an Honorary Doctorates -- Ph.D.
in Philosophy and Political Science from the Southern
California University for Professional Studies in
recognition of his long life contribution to the politics of
Cambodian.
Through the
2nd general election on the 26th of
July, 1998, Samdech Chea Sim was again elected as a member
of the National Assembly for Phnom Penh City Station but
gave up the position on the 1st December, 1998. After this he was appointed by his Majesty King Sihanouk as a president
of the Senate on
the 11th
of January, 1999 until now.
Samdech
Chea Sim also has received a special appointment by His
Majesty King Sihanouk, as the acting head of State of
Cambodia, working on behalf of the King while the King is
absent.
Chea Sim
has had the great honor to greet and invite respected
Diplomats, Ambassadors, Kings and Queens, Ministers, Parties
Leaders, political officials and representatives from many
countries around the world. Cambodia has a open door policy
and welcome trade and diplomatic relations with all
countries world wide.
Samdech Chea Sim and U.S Ambassador
Charles A. Ray
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