The Phnom Penh Municipal Administration has called on the public to participate in maintaining the beauty, hygiene and public order of the capital during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit and related meetings, scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh from November 10-13.

In an October 24 letter, municipal governor Khuong Sreng asked residents to be sure to dispose of household waste according to administration guidelines.

“Please keep good order in your front yards, and beautify your houses. Be sure to follow the scheduled garbage collection, and don’t pile trash outside your homes until it due to be picked up,” he said.

He also asked people to display the national flag in front of their homes, making sure the flags were clean and not torn. This would display pride in their national identity and promote the prestige of the Kingdom, he said, adding that Cambodia’s rich culture and traditions were worthy of celebration, especially as it hosted the forum.

Sreng added that people who own vacant land or construction sites along public roads should erect fences in front of their property, to improve the appearance of the city.

“In addition, all construction site owners should be aware that they must temporarily suspend construction as high-level national and international delegations are passing by,” he said.

The governor asked for the understanding of the public and offered his apologies in advance to the residents of the capital. Because the administration must cooperate to protect the security of the national and international guests who would attend the summits, they may be some disturbances and unusual congestion which may affect people’s movements around the city.

The administration thanked the public in advance for their assistance in maintaining the beauty of the capital, as well as for their readiness to accepting the priority given to the Kingdom’s guests.

Sakura Yuth, who lives near the Phsar Dei Huy flyover, told The Post that he had done as instructed, but he wanted the authorities to take care of the sidewalks and make sure the environment was free from excessive dust.

“I have already made sure my own property is presentable. The municipal administration should re-tile the sidewalks near the flyover and along the Russian Federation Boulevard, however,” he added.

Sok Sophat, another resident of Phnom Penh, told The Post that he had no problem following the administration’s suggestions. He thought that taking caring of the environment was something that everyone should participate in, and that there should be no need for special guidance.

“I have participated as instructed. Really, maintaining cleanliness and being careful with trash bins are our personal responsibility anyway. I clean my house every day, as well as plant flowers in front of my house,” he said.

Keat Rainsy, director of the Phnom Penh municipal Department of Environment, told The Post that the department had received the instructions, and would share them widely through public messages and though social media.

He said that it was fortunate that solid waste management had recently been reformed, with three companies now handling the work rather than the single business which previously held the contract.