PHNOM PENH, Aug. 15 (FN) — Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Monday appointed ousted Phnom Penh municipal health department director Sok Sokun as the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Health, according to a government's sub-decree.

The prime minister removed Sok Sokun from his post on Saturday after the official ordered the seizure of an ambulance belonging to the popular ABC radio station with the claims that the vehicle had neither the proper registration nor medical personnel, and was instead being used to peddle the station's branded fruit juice.

His decision to sack the official has drawn criticism from Facebook users, most of whom suggested that the official should not be ousted for his law enforcement and slammed the radio station for using the ambulance for its own interests.

ABC radio station said that the ambulance has been used for humanitarian purposes, particularly transporting corpses in traffic accidents free-of-charge. However, it admitted that it has also used the vehicle for distributing fruit juice.

The prime minister's appointing Sok Sokun to a higher position is likely to end further criticism over the case.