Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Law and order improved in Preah Sihanouk, official says

Law and order improved in Preah Sihanouk, official says

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Preah Sihanouk provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun, Supplied

Law and order improved in Preah Sihanouk, official says

A Preah Sihanouk provincial official has claimed that security and public order have shown signs of improvement since the appointment of provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun in June.

Kheang Phearum, Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall spokesman, told The Post that security has tightened since Chamroeun took up his post in the wake of a major building collapse in Sihanoukville.

“Under the leadership of provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun, the provincial administration has a clear plan. We hope that Sihanoukville will become a civilised and model city in terms of infrastructure development,” he said.

“We will succeed when all our provincial stakeholders, including provincial administrative officials and officers from relevant ministries, work together towards our goal. We are going to see the positive results soon.”

On June 22, a Chinese-owned building that was still under construction in Sihanoukville collapsed with workers sleeping inside, killing 28 people.

The collapse was widely regarded as indicative of rampant unregulated construction work and rising lawlessness in the province with officials condemned for not taking a tougher stance on law and order, culminating in the resignation of then provincial governor Yun Min on June 24.

Speaking at Chamroeun’s appointment ceremony on June 29, Minister of Interior Sar Kheng said the province needed urgent solutions to deal with its many challenges, including unregulated building work, crime, infrastructure development and pollution caused by rapid population growth.

Upon his appointment, Prime Minister Hun Sen also praised Chamroeun, the former governor of Kampong Cham province, as an “able man” with the ability to resolve these issues.

However, the director of the Cambodian National Research Organisation (CNRO) Sok Sokhom said the situation in the province had not seen significant improvement since Chamroeun’s appointment, especially related to security, public order, traffic accidents, land disputes and land grabbing.

“Traffic congestion is still a major problem in the province. Also, damaged infrastructure has not yet been rebuilt too. Shootings and crime are still occurring [at high rates] despite occasional crackdowns by the authorities,” said Sokhom, who also criticised the state of the environment in the province.

“I would like the provincial administration to resolve all these problems effectively and efficiently,” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former