A long-waited draft law to regulate the use of acid in the Kingdom is set for debate in the National Assembly next month with discussions on the proposed law completed nearly two weeks ago, officials said yesterday.

Opposition lawmaker Mu Sochua told the Post that debate on the draft acid law would occur on November 2.

Teng Savong, secretary of state at the Interior Ministry and director of the acid law committee, said that committee talks were complete and the draft law did not require many further changes.

The proposed legislation, which also aims to punish the perpetrators of acid attacks, was approved by the Council of Ministers in late August.

Horng Lairapo, chief of the medical and legal unit at the Cambodian Acid Survivors Charity, said yesterday that debate on the law was important.

“We really want this law to be approved, but before it can be used in public, it has to be checked carefully in order to avoid problems down the line,” he said.

Acid victim Som Bunnarith, who is also a CASC counsellor, expressed eagerness for the pending legislation.

“I have been waiting for this law for a long time because I don’t want to see any more victims injured by acid attacks,” he said. “I want to see the perpetrators punished through this law.”

According to CASC, 21 people have been injured in acid attacks and accidents so far this year.