Phnom Penh (FN), Sep. 5 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that the Royal Government does not rely on armed forces to safeguard the country's borders, but instead places trust in the local people to fulfil this responsibility.

The premier spoke on Thursday (Sep. 5) during a certificate presentation ceremony for nearly 2,000 law students and trainees at OCIC in Phnom Penh.

"We do not need to use the armed forces or the police to safeguard the border. They are used to combat various crimes. Instead, we rely on the local people to protect the border, which is our primary objective,” the premier underscored.

Samdech Thipadei added that while Cambodia has not yet constructed thousands of kilometres of paved roads along the border, dirt roads are being built step by step, with plans to gradually expand and connect the border roads. Currently, around 1,300 kilometres remain to be completed.

The premier also noted that once the border roads are built, citizens will be encouraged to settle in the area by providing them with land and housing. So far, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning, and Construction has successfully provided thousands of homes to citizens.

On 22 August 2024, Samdech Thipadei introduced a new policy, the "Forest Protection Land Grant Program for Joint Sustainable Development," which is being implemented in several areas nationwide, with a special focus on border provinces.

Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stated that through this program, citizens without land will be given the opportunity to acquire land in areas developed under the concession program. The government asks for only one thing in return: that citizens help protect the land in those areas.
=FRESH NEWS