Hun Sen orders end to Battambang-Pailin boundary dispute
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has given the governors of Battambang and Pailin provinces two weeks to resolve their provincial boundary issues, so people can easily manage their land deeds and register to vote.
At a graduation ceremony on Monday, Hun Sen said the boundary issue between the two goes back to 1996 and now, nearly 30 years later, no resolution has been found.
“I spoke by phone with the two governors and made it clear that I expect the problem to be solved in the next two weeks or I will handle it myself. This is hardly an international border issue, so I believe they will be able to find a solution themselves,” he said.
He added that he has told Battambang governor Sok Lou that his province is large enough to partition a few thousand hectares for Pailin.
“I also let Interior Minister Sar Kheng and the National Assembly know that this needs to be resolved so land titles can be issued and people can register for next year’s general election. Both Lou and Pailin governor Ban Srey Mom are aware of the urgency,” he added.
The premier noted that several of their predecessors had been unable to solve this problem. Citing his enquiries, he revealed that some powerful people own the disputed land and have prevented the Battambang Provincial Administration from ceding the land to Pailin.
“To the people involved – your mango plantations will not disappear. The land in both provinces will remain in Cambodia, and you will still be able to collect your crops. I am also assured that it will be easier for Pailin to administer the land, as it is closer to administrative offices. From the Battambang side, it is very remote,” he added.
Lou told the Post on October 17 that after receiving the order, he had visited the area and had arranged to meet with his Pailin counterpart to inspect the area together.
“We have already mapped out a solution to this problem,” he said, noting that adjusting the provincial border would affect Samlot and Kamrieng districts
“We will try to follow the prime minister’s orders,” he said.
Am Sam Ath, deputy director of the rights group LICADHO, said unclear demarcation of the boundaries could lead to many problems for the public, especially when land disputes arise.
“A lack of clear demarcation has led to many issues, including requests for public services,” he said.
The Phnom Penh Post
Asia News Network
