Kampong Cham (FN), Dec. 21 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet considered the significant progress achieved in land surveying as a historic event for the nation, attributing this success to the end of decades of war and conflict.
The premier spoke on Saturday (Dec. 21) at the inauguration ceremony declaring Kampong Cham Province as completing systematic land measurement and title deed distribution.
Samdech Thipadei stated that without peace and the resolution of ethnic divisions, it would have been impossible to conduct nationwide land surveys for citizens. Following the liberation from the Khmer Rouge regime, land ownership remained unsettled. In 1989, Samdech Techo Hun Sen initiated reforms to allocate land ownership to citizens.
Samdech Thipadei underscored, “This is the first time in Cambodia’s history that a comprehensive plan for all land in the country has been developed, encompassing private, state, and community land. This achievement marks a milestone in our national unity, something we have not seen for 500 years. Without unity, it was not possible to undertake such an ambitious task,”
Samdech Thipadei highlighted that the citizens' land measurement process was a historic accomplishment because it was conducted with consensus, under a uniform standard and legal framework across the country, without division by region or administrative authority. This approach ensures equity and strengthens the rights of all citizens.
On the occasion, the premier also noted that during the Khmer Rouge regime, land ownership was abolished, and people were forcibly displaced. After 1979, property ownership underwent significant changes due to the loss of families and the movement of survivors into group settlements.
In 1998, Samdech Techo Hun Sen initiated reforms to redistribute property rights. According to Samdech Thipadei, the peace achieved not only ended conflict but also paved the way for land measurement and economic engagement for citizens.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet extended his gratitude to all ministries and institutions, particularly the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, and the Kampong Cham Provincial Administration, for their dedication and efforts in advancing land surveying and registration in Kampong Cham Province.
The premier also expressed appreciation for the commitment of the Kampong Cham Provincial Land Management Department, technical officers, volunteers, and all stakeholders who contributed to the successful completion of land registration in the province.
Prime Minister Hun Manet underlined that these efforts represent not only administrative progress but also a testament to the enduring value of peace and unity in fostering Cambodia’s development.
As of November 2024, the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction has announced significant progress in land registration, aimed at addressing uncertainties regarding land ownership boundaries, reducing land disputes, and providing legal security and peace of mind for citizens in owning real estate. These efforts are part of the ministry's broader vision of building a peaceful and harmonious Cambodian society.
To date, the ministry has surveyed and registered 7.7 million land plots and issued 7 million land certificates. In addition, 3 million more land lots have been surveyed, with 590,000 land titles issued.
The ministry aims to survey the remaining 1.5 million land units in the near future. Once the surveys are completed, the ministry will be able to prepare administrative boundary and geographical name maps, infrastructure and public space maps, and land use master plans. These efforts will also contribute to improving people’s livelihoods and supporting sustainable development in Cambodia.
=FRESH NEWS
