The government yesterday ordered the governor of Banlung town in Ratanakkiri province to return the concession granting control of Banlung market back to its original holder after he tried to switch managers without the government’s permission.

Heng Dara Company managed the market since 2008, but last year, Banlung’s new governor, Ouk Samol, tried to hand the role over to a man named Chea Koung.

Heng Dara and 213 market vendors responded with a slew of complaints, which led the Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection to send its order to reverse the change through Ratanakkiri provincial authorities yesterday.

“The vendors protested over the Banlung market [decision] for almost a year,” said Chhay Thy, an Adhoc coordinator in Ratanakkiri.

Samol said yesterday that he will comply with the order. Sa Leang, the owner of Heng Dara, said that he is pleased with the decision.

Chin Rong, one of the vendors, said he had been satisfied with Heng Dara “because the company did not take our money illegally, and the public [order] and beauty in the market was good”.