The Ministry of Cults and Religions said it will launch an investigation into the alleged sale of land worth nearly $1 million belonging to Wat Sovann Sakor, also known as Banteay Pagoda, in Kandal province. Part of the pagoda’s ground is also occupied by the Arey Ksat commune police station in the province’s Lvea Em district.

Ministry spokesman Seng Somony told The Post on July 7 that he had not received information regarding the sale. I do not have a report, but I’ve asked the provincial religion department to look into this case,” he said.

Prum Saron, deputy head of the department, said he did not know about the sale and referred questions to the pagoda chief monk, who could not be reached for comment.

Arey Ksat commune chief Duch Chan said he was unaware of any sale. The chief monk or the pagoda’s clergyman would better understand this matter, but no documents for buying and selling the land were signed, he said.

“We have heard rumours, but they cannot be taken seriously. Only the pagoda chief monk and the supposed buyer would know,” he said.

Concerning allegations that commune police had sold the land, Lvea Em district police chief Heng Sophal explained to The Post that the land belongs to the pagoda. It was lent to the police to build a police station and provide public services. No one has the right to sell it.