An investigation by the Preah Sihanouk Provincial Administration has determined that no illegal detention or confinement of a group of 13 Chinese nationals by their employer was taking place in Sihanoukville as was alleged recently in an anonymous complaint.

Speaking at a late press conference on July 25, provincial administration spokesman Kheang Phearom and provincial police chief Major General Chuon Narin said the investigation was prompted by an anonymous complaint from another Chinese citizen asking for intervention from the authorities.

Narin said the provincial authorities had received information along these lines twice – one through the police hotline on June 25 and a second was filed with the provincial governor’s office on July 18.

After receiving the complaint, the police searched for the complainant to get more information about the case but could not find or contact the anonymous person for questioning.

“We’ve looked into this situation and done some research and this is not a matter of confinement, but now it is a matter of us wanting to know who the victim is supposed to be, because we went to the site in person with the coordination of the provincial prosecutor and determined that it is not a matter of confinement, it is a matter of some people wanting to quit their jobs [at a casino],” he said.

According to the commissioner, authorities invited the 13 people identified in the complaints to come along with them to the provincial police headquarters to discuss their situation and 10 of them did so without incident, having apparently decided to resign from their employment at the unnamed casino.

The other three declined to leave the casino, claiming they had well-paid jobs that they were satisfied with and did not want to lose them.

“Therefore, the authorities need to meet with the complainants to inquire about the purpose of the complaint to determine what the authorities’ role here should be and what their suggestions are before we can deal with the 10 Chinese people who volunteered to come to the provincial police headquarters.

“Therefore, the plaintiffs must cooperate with the authorities. So, at this time, I am still waiting for the plaintiffs to come and work with us on this because they petitioned the provincial governor who has given us the authority to investigate. But we need more information from them to understand why they believe criminal activity was taking place,” he said.

Phearom stated that after receiving the complaint, provincial governor Kouch Chamroeun ordered authorities to investigate the location directly and immediately to clarify the relevant details of the complaint and that investigation was led by Narin with the coordination of the provincial court prosecutor.

“We welcome and resolve all complaints and requests from citizens, investors and foreign residents, workers and tourists. In general, if there is any crime reported, the authorities will intervene and investigate all complaints and requests, and we will go and do so at the relevant locations,” he said.

Phearom stated that the authorities have many ways to investigate each case, including statements by witnesses, tips called in to their hotline and the direct filing of complaints by victims. But in all cases, the authorities will take the time to look into any allegations of wrongdoing.