THE Club of Cambodian Journalists has condemned the alleged deployment of Daun Penh district security officials to the offices of the Nokor Wat media company, saying it could stifle the company’s freedom of expression.

Pen Samitthy, president of the CCJ, said yesterday that ten district public order officers had been camped at the office of the Khmer-language publishing company since August 18, after Phnom Penh municipal officials denied the firm permission to renovate its building.

He said that although the officers were not armed, their presence “could annoy the feeling of the journalists and pose a threat to the freedom of the press”. He said that the CCJ would continue to monitor the case.

Touch Kongkea, deputy publisher of the Nokor Wat News Daily, said he did not know the reason the officers were posted in his building.

“I don’t know why they came to my office’s building, they just said they have received order from their leaders,” he said.

Sok Penhavuth, deputy governor of Daun Penh district in charge of public order, said he was too busy to comment.