Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Court questions officials over sale of Jolie-Pitt land

Court questions officials over sale of Jolie-Pitt land

Military Police and environmental rangers are seen inspecting the disputed land clearing in a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Pailin province in January. Photo supplied
Military Police and environmental rangers are seen inspecting the disputed land clearing in a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Pailin province in January. Photo supplied

Court questions officials over sale of Jolie-Pitt land

An environmental ranger and a village chief were questioned yesterday by the Pailin Provincial Court for allegedly colluding to grab, clear and sell land in a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, according to officials.

The questioning followed a complaint filed by the provincial Environment Department in January regarding the alleged forestry crime in Phnom Dambang village in O’Tavao commune in the Samlot protected area.

Kem Sokha, director of the provincial Environment Department, said the case revolves around 2 hectares of allegedly cleared land. While environment rangers are allowed to cultivate on the land, the clearing and selling is prohibited, he said.

“According to the law on protected forest, the sale of natural protected areas is illegal,” he said. “The court has called for testimony already . . . and will consider [it] based on the law and facts.”

Men Sok Koeurn, 38, the environment ranger questioned in court, yesterday disputed accusations he illegally claimed the forest land, but he admitted to having taken ownership of more than 1 hectare of land in the area in 2001. He later sold it to Srey Morn, a Pailin provincial military official, in 2004 with the approval of Phnom Dambang Village Chief Long Vuthy.

“I used to cultivate on the land, [but Morn] gave me $1,000 . . . for the transfer of the right to use the land,” he said.

Vuthy, who was questioned in court yesterday, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Morn, who was also previously questioned as part of the case, yesterday said he had purchased 21 hectares of land from different villagers, including Sok Koeurn. He said he began to buy land about four years ago, and acknowledged the area was protected, but maintained that “hundreds of families are living in it”.

“If you want to evict [me] or withdraw the land, it has to be done to all the people, not only one person,” he said.

The Samlot protected area consists of over 600,000 hectares of land, and is a joint conservation effort of the Ministry of Environment and actress Angelina Jolie’s foundation.

Thol Kim Hing, the prosecutor in charge of this case, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Kong Mony Chan, director of the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, said “it’s very challenging to protect the forest at this moment”, noting such cases are common in the area.

Additional reporting by Yesenia Amaro

MOST VIEWED

  • Wing Bank opens new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004

    Wing Bank celebrates first anniversary as commercial bank with launch of brand-new branch. One year since officially launching with a commercial banking licence, Wing Bank on March 14 launched a new branch in front of Orkide The Royal along Street 2004. The launch was presided over by

  • Girl from Stung Meanchey dump now college grad living in Australia

    After finishing her foundational studies at Trinity College and earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2022, Ron Sophy, a girl who once lived at the Stung Meanchey garbage dump and scavenged for things to sell, is now working at a private

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Wat Phnom hornbills attract tourists, locals

    Thanks to the arrival of a friendly flock of great hornbills, Hour Rithy, a former aviculturist – or raiser of birds – in Kratie province turned Phnom Penh tuk tuk driver, has seen a partial return to his former profession. He has become something of a guide

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one