35% of constructions in Phnom Penh are illegal

Monday, August 20, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Kep Chuktema, the governor of Phnom Penh, indicated the current population growth in Phnom Penh is about 3.2% per year, and these additional people need at least 10,000 additional rooms to live each year. Because of the population growth, Phnom Penh is faced with traffic jams, and about 35% constructions are illegal. Kep Chuktema made this comment to the Vietnamese construction delegation led by Nguyen Hong Quan, the Vietnamese minister of construction, during a discussion session held at the Phnom Penh city hall last Thursday. Kep Chuktema said that land problems, environmental problems, and solid waste problems are doubling in the last few years. He added that, from now on, Phnom Penh already has a master plan to expand the city to double the city size in 2010, increasing the city size to 700-square-kilometer, and that the city will also tighten illegal constructions and will eliminate them gradually.

The Long Chhin Co. has only $4,000 in the bank

Monday, August 6, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

According to an official from the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Long Chhin Resorts company which is a development company for luxurious homes, and for which the government ordered to destroy all its constructions in Kob Srov Lake last week, has only $4,000 in its bank account. Nuth Sa An, a secretary of state at the MoI, told The Cambodia Daily on Sunday that, after prime minister Hun Sen ordered a freeze of this company’s assets, the Ministry of Finance only found $4,000 in the company’s bank account. Nuth Sa An said that, during the meeting of the council of ministers on Friday, Hun Sen issued a directive to search for the company assets which can be used to pay back the people whose properties were destroyed. Nuth Sa An added that the government will pursue its help if the frozen assets are not sufficient (to cover the payback).

Photos from the Operation “Demolition of the Long Chhin Resorts buildings”

New Long Chhin resorts entrance gate before demolition (Photo: Narith, Koh Santepheap)

An old Long Chhin resorts entrance gate before demolition (Photo: Narith, Koh Santepheap)

Roundabout inside the Long Chhin resorts before demolition (Photo: Narith, Koh Santepheap)

Roundabout inside the Long Chhin resorts after demolition (Photo: Narith, Koh Santepheap)

Lim Kean Hor directing the bulldozers from afar with a communication radio (Photo: Narith, Koh Santepheap)