Phom Penh Municipality yesterday issued a notice prohibiting residents on land slated for the Overseas Cambodian Investment Corporation’s US$3-billion development of Chroy Changvar peninsula in Russei Keo district from constructing new buildings and buying, selling or transferring the land.

Construction of the Chroy Changvar “City of the Future” is planned to begin this year and, if approved, will include a 60-hectare public park, a national stadium and an ASEAN meeting area as well as housing and commercial buildings.

Chroy Changvar Commune Chief Pich Saroeun said the development would affect 387 hectares of land in Prek Leap, Prek Tasek and Chroy Changvar communes, but he did not know how many villagers would be affected.

“The government has taken the land for the development, but ... there must be compensation for the owners.” The letter, dated March 24 and obtained by The Post yesterday, stated that City Hall “prohibit[s] digging, filling, new constructing, repairing, selling, buying all kinds of land in the development project”.

Prek Leap Commune Chief Preap Mony said the government would not develop land “where many people live”.

OCIC Project Manager Touch Samnang said the Government would be responsible for settling all compensation issues.