PHNOM Penh Municipal government drafted a proposal to split Dangkor, Phnom Penh’s largest district, into two separate districts after 11 communes from Kandal province were integrated into its territory in September.

“Higher leaders have prepared to split our district into two districts because it is now too wide to govern,” Chea Nyta, deputy governor of Dangkor district, said yesterday.

“I don’t know when it will be divided into two districts but I’m sure it will be separated into two parts,” she added.

Hem Darith, the deputy governor of Dangkor district, said the district currently contains a total of 26 communes, after the inclusion of 11 communes reassigned from Kandal province to Dangkor on September 20.

“It is too big to govern. It has to be divided into two districts so that we can govern it well,” Hem Darith said.

During the September expansion, a total of 20 communes were cut from Kandal province and incorporated into four of the capital’s districts: Dangkor, Russey Keo, Meanchey and Sen Sok.

In addition to the 11 communes incorporated into Dangkor, two communes were also added to Russey Keo, four communes were added to Meanchey and three communes were added to Sen Sok.

Chea Nyta said that municipal authorities were studying the specifics of the proposed division, adding that it will require careful consideration and additional financial support from the government.

“It will take time and more funds will be needed to be spent to work on this project,” Chea Nyta said.

Phnom Penh municipality contains eight districts, containing a population of more than 1.23 million.

Leng Vy, general director of General Department of Local Administration of interior ministry, said on Tuesday that he was unclear on the specifics of dividing Dangkor district into two districts.