Khiev Sepphan, lawyer for the CPP, says the party will challenge manager Kem Chantha for failing to honor her original contract 

EMBATTLED Renakse Hotel manager Kem Chantha will now face a legal challenge to her control of the historic property as the Cambodian People's Party prepares to take her to court, the ruling party's lawyer told the Post on Tuesday.

Khiev Sepphan said the CPP has failed in its negotiations with Kem Chantha over the property and will now resolve the matter in court.

"We are suing because she has not honoured Article 3 of her contract with the CPP," he said.

The CPP announced in September that it would break its 49-year lease with Kem Chantha.

She was informed that the new owners, Alexan Inc, would take possession at the end of that month and develop the property as housing for government officials.

Kem Chantha has refused to leave the hotel since the deadline expired on September 30.

Earlier this month, Khiev Sepphan justified the breaking of the lease by claiming that Kem Chantha failed to refurbish the hotel according to international standards within three years, as stipulated by Article 3 of her contract.

Kem Chantha, who has served as the hotel's manager for more than two decades, said she welcomes the opportunity to defend herself in court.

She said an official with the Ministry of Cults and Religion "sold the hotel on behalf of the new government with no regard for my lease".

"The government knows what it has done to me and the hotel," she said, adding that she has no intention of leaving the property.