Preah Sihanouk provincial authorities are considering demolishing an illegal casino built by 168 Jinding International Entertainment Co Ltd on Koh Rong Sanloem island, while former Mother Nature activists have announced that they plan to march in protest urging the casino’s demolition.

On Monday, 14 former Mother Nature activists gathered in front of Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall to submit a petition to provincial governor Kuoch Chamroeun demanding that the Chinese-run casino be demolished.

The protest followed an announcement in March by the provincial authorities that the business had been ordered to close down.

The March 11 order to close the casino came after the authorities claimed it had flushed raw sewage into the sea, made excessive noise, constructed a building on the beach without permission and possessed an expired business licence.

Preah Sihanouk Provincial Hall spokesman Kheang Phearum told The Post on Wednesday that the petition had been received, but said the activists must wait for a response from the senior leadership as a working group was still studying the issue.

“Importantly, the business is completely closed and is under the supervision of the provincial authorities.

“We have to remember that it is not only young people who love our country, we civil servants too love the nation.

“But please realise that there are many problems which the authorities have to solve in Preah Sihanouk province. It would be wrong if they did nothing to solve those problems,” said Phearum.

Former Mother Nature activist Hun Vannak, who helped deliver the petition, told The Post that he was still concerned about the impact on the Cambodian coast by the 10-metre-long building and urged the authorities to effectively enforce the law so powerful individuals would not dare to resume their business operations.

“The failure of the government to enforce the law is causing endless problems in Preah Sihanouk province.

“We decided to submit the petition to the provincial governor because the casino was closed down, then reopened, and only closed down again after our video was circulated. We’re just trying to protect the beach,” Vannak said.

After submitting their petition, the former Mother Nature activists warned that they were planning a march to urge that the casino is swiftly demolished.

Phearum said the activists have the right to organise a march but they must obey the law, otherwise they will face legal consequences.

The activists said the casino land was Cambodian-owned but had been leased to 168 Jingding, which is owned by Chinese national Zhou Jianhua.

Cheap Sotheary, the provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc, said she hoped the authorities would demolish the casino and other illegal buildings as soon as possible, as it was not only activists who were waiting for a response from the provincial governor.

“I know they announced that 14 buildings would be demolished, but I don’t know exactly where they are.

“I just know about one large nine-storey building near the Two Golden Lions Roundabout that definitely hasn’t been demolished.

“We’re still waiting for a response from the authorities. They can’t keep this secret anymore,” Sotheary said.