With some corrupt individuals continuing to occupy state land in the capital and provinces prior to the general election, an inter-ministerial meeting was held to discuss ways to prevent natural resource crimes and state land grabs.

The meeting was held on June 9 at the Ministry of Environment.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Environment Say Samal, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina, Minister of Justice Koeut Rith, Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem and Minister of Water Resources and Meteorology Lim Kean Hor, along with Sao Sokha, deputy commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander of the National Military Police, who also serves as chairman of the National Committee for Prevention and Crackdown on Natural Resource Crimes.

The meeting also brought together representatives from the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspections, along with governors and deputy governors from the capital and provinces, and numerous other officials.

The meeting came after Prime Minister Hun Sen on June 6 ordered the ministries of environment and agriculture and all local authorities to curb forest encroachment and illegal encroachment on state or private land.

The prime minister noted that these activities always increased during the campaign period and the day of elections.

“I had observed that every time there is an election, illegal activities related to deforestation and land grabs occur,” he said.

“Therefore, I remind the relevant ministries as well as local authorities at all levels to use all possible forces to prosecute the corrupt individuals who seek to take advantage of the government being busy conducting the election to plunder the forests. Eliminating these issues is the responsibility of the governors whose jurisdiction the forests fall under,” he added.