OFFICIALS from the National Committee for Organising National and International Festivals (NCONIF) are awaiting a response from Minister of Cults and Religions Min Khin regarding their request to increase the size of the facilities to which they are being relocated.

A total of 57 employees of the NCONIF were informed in March that they were to vacate their riverfront office on Sisowath Quay following its sale to local businesswoman Choeung Sopheap, head of the Pheapimex investment company. The officials were scheduled to move at the end of March, but this move was later delayed due to their high volume of work for last month’s Khmer New Year and Sunday’s Royal Ploughing Ceremony.

The officials were originally slated to move to the General Inspectorate for the National Buddhist Education of Cambodia, but they have complained that the facilities there are too small and lack meeting rooms.

An employee of the NCONIF who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak with the media said Monday that committee members had submitted a request for improved facilities to Kong Sam Ol, minister of the Royal Palace and chairman of the Permanent Committee for National and International Ceremonies. Kong Sam Ol, the official added, had forwarded the request to National Assembly President Heng Samrin, who in turn delegated the task to Min Khin.

NCONIF members are pressing to expand their new facilities beyond the five rooms that they were originally granted at the Inspectorate building.

Choeung Sopheap also controls the adjacent property on Sothearos Boulevard that formerly housed the Renakse Hotel. She and Min Khin could not be reached for comment.