Lawmakers hit road over land disputes

National Assembly lawmakers hold a meeting in Battambang yesterday to investigate unresolved land disputes. Photo supplied

A bipartisan commission of National Assembly lawmakers arrived in Battambang province yesterday to investigate three unresolved land disputes before going on to Banteay Meanchey to investigate six more over the next two days.

The director of the body’s human rights commission, Eng Chhay Eang, said the assembly had previously urged local authorities to solve the nine cases, but after months of inaction, the commission is taking matters into its own hands.

“For months, the National Assembly has not received an answer and the people keep complaining about those land disputes,” he said.

Battambang Governor Chan Sophal declined to comment yesterday, but Banteay Meanchey Governor Korsum Saroeut said the commission will meet provincial authorities on Wednesday to discuss the six cases in his province.

“We have investigated in order to solve the land disputes for the people in the near future,” he said.

Battambang coordinator for rights group Adhoc Yin Mengly said he welcomed the commission’s visit, which he said was the first of its kind, and urged authorities to listen to the people.

Contact author: Pech Sotheary

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