Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered the relevant authorities to probe four land-related cases following a series of complaints from the Khmer Rise Party (KRP), which studied them.
Four letters, signed by members of the Council of Ministers and its secretary of state Hing Thoraksy on January 17, were annotated by Hun Sen after reviewing the complaints and a summary report submitted by the KRP.
Thoraksy said the government had assigned one of the cases to the Kampot provincial administration, which shall continue to address the irregularity cited by the KRP.
The case involved people of power who had encroached on 5ha belonging to six families in Kampot’s Dos Phdao village, Trapaing Phlaing commune, in Chhouk district.
The government said Thoraksy, also ordered the Phnom Penh municipal administration to handle another land dispute case which it is involved in.
The municipal administration is alleged to have grabbed the land of eight families in Spean Khpos village, Kilometre 6 commune, in Russey Keo district for profiteering purposes.
Thoraksy said the KRP found the Phnom Penh administration to have violated Hun Sen’s annotation and an order from the Ministry of Interior. This, he said, must be addressed and met with legal action.
The third case involved two men, named Chem Sarim and Bou Sokim, who grabbed and sold the lands of sugar cane planters in Veal Kamrieng area, Taing Sroeng village, Sangke Satoap commune, Oral district in Kampong Speu province.
Finally, the fourth case concerned a land dispute between 45 families and Paradise Investment Co Ltd in O’Tracheak village, Samrong commune, Prey Nop district, in Preah Sihanouk province.
The last two cases were assigned to the Minister of Land Management,Urban Planning and Construction Chea Sophara for further investigation.
Ministry spokesman Seng Lot declined to comment on Tuesday.
However, Phnom Penh Municipal Hall spokesman Met Meas Pheakdey said on Tuesday that he would investigate the land grab allegation against the administration.
Kampot provincial governor Cheav Tay told The Post on Tuesday that while waiting to receive the letters, the provincial administration would create a commission to probe the disputed locations.
KRP president Sok Sovann Vathana Sabung commended the prime minister’s timely response, adding that he would continue to monitor the measures enforced by authorities appointed by Hun Sen.
“This is in line with the directive that the prime minister issued in response to the irregularities brought up by the KRP at the Supreme Consultation Council.
“We have to continually monitor whether the solutions enforced by the authorities are done with integrity and transparency,” he said.
