Pursat (FN), Mar. 31 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a stern warning stating that any civil servants within the Armed Forces found involved in encroachment activities on state-owned land at the local level would face severe consequences, including potential termination or removal from their positions.

The premier spoke on Sunday morning (Mar. 31) at the inauguration of Preah Botum Stupa at Mony Ratanaream Pagoda in Pursat province.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet underlined that the new government would continue to rigorously enforce laws against illegal activities, particularly encroachment on state forest land.

Premier Hun Manet underscored, "We must strictly enforce the law against violators. We urge all civil servants within the Armed Forces not to engage in such activities, as they will face legal consequences, potentially including termination or removal from their positions, without exceptions."

The responsibility for preventing and suppressing natural resource crimes falls upon the hierarchy, and this responsibility must be upheld at all levels, from national to sub-national.

However, at this point, Samdech Thipadei introduced a new measure by handing over the responsibility for the prevention of this crime to the Board of Governors, and if the implementation is not effective, Samdech will consider changes or new appointments of district governors in the critical areas.

Pointing out that only about 10 districts out of 209 across the country are hotspots for illegal encroachment, Samdech Thipadei underscored the need for effective leadership in these areas. He emphasised the importance of appointing capable leaders who can address the issue promptly and effectively.

In this sense, Samdech Thipadei underlined that "In areas facing these hotspots, we must appoint a decisive leader—a commander who possesses strong leadership qualities and can effectively navigate the complexities at hand. Therefore, in these critical zones, it is imperative to prioritise appointing individuals with demonstrated abilities to lead and resolve multifaceted problems efficiently. It's crucial to evaluate the effectiveness of problem-solving mechanisms, particularly regarding the appointed commanders, including district governors. Appointments or changes should be made promptly based on the current situation to ensure our effectiveness and fulfill our obligations."

In addition to the local governors, the provincial governors must support and take action in addressing the problem, with responsibility cascading from the bottom to the top. If issues persist at the provincial level, immediate action must be taken, including reporting to the Prime Minister.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed his commitment to conserving natural resources by cracking down on illegal activities and the necessity of removing incompetent individuals or those complicit in illegal activities.
=FRESH NEWS