A company owned by fugitive businessman Thong Sarath, Meanchey International Investment, released a statement on Saturday seeking to dispel rumours that the firm was closing offices and construction projects had come to a halt.

“In the past few days, there are have been some media, including the social network Facebook, that have released untrue information saying that the company, and its sub branches are closed, work has stopped at the construction site or that the company appealed to its customers to withdraw their money,” the statement, signed by one of Sarath’s wives, Teav Thida, reads.

“Our company wants to inform that the above mentioned information is not true. The company is working to fulfil its obligations as normal.”

Sarath has been in hiding since December 3, after the authorities fingered the tycoon for the murder of businessman Ung Meng Cheu. Meanchey International Investment controls a variety of businesses that include the Borey 999 apartment project.

A staff member at Borey 999 yesterday confirmed the firm received phone calls from nervous investors but that business had been running as usual.

According to Saturday’s statement, the only slowdown of business is a construction site in Stung Meanchey that has been temporarily suspended due to a boundary line dispute.

“The company wants to appeal to customers to have trust in the company,” the note says. adding that the firm is providing information to authorities.