At the end of December 1953, after Cambodia gained independence, he was appointed the new governor of Phnom Penh and took part in negotiations with the French on the latest skills transfer between the colonial administration and the Cambodian government.
Pada akhir Desember 1953, setelah Kamboja meraih kemerdekaan, ia dilantik menjadi gubernur baru Phnom Penh dan ikut dalam negosiasi dengan Prancis antara pemerintah kolonial dan pemerintah Kamboja.